SYNONYMS AND RELATED EXPRESSIONS
oxymoron
noun
A combination of words whose meanings seem contradictory.
Local English device voice, when available. This is not a recorded dictionary pronunciation.
Contradictory word pairing
Closest synonyms
Related words and expressions
These extend or explain the idea and may require a different sentence structure.
Usage distinction
Return to topAn oxymoron combines apparently contradictory terms; a paradox can involve an entire statement or situation.
CHECK THE MEANING IN CONTEXT
See oxymoron in use
The phrase 'deafening silence' is an oxymoron.
The expression 'jumbo shrimp' is an oxymoron.
1 more example
The oxymoron operated within the phrase deafening silence, whose opposing terms conveyed an intensely noticeable absence of sound.
Compare an alternative with the original word in each passage. Shared meanings do not make every pair interchangeable.
Synonym reference scope and sources
The groups distinguish the senses selected for this study entry. Closest synonyms and broader related expressions have separate labels. The listed sources support lexical selection; not every phrase is a direct quotation from a source.
How the synonym reference was prepared / WordNet 3.0 license