Definitions

aposiopesis

[ap-uh-sahy-uh-pee-sis] / ˌæp əˌsaɪ əˈpi sɪs /

NOUN

figure of speech

Synonyms

WEAK

adumbration allegory alliteration allusion analogue analogy anaphora anticlimax antistrophe antithesis apostrophe asyndeton bathos comparison conceit device echoism ellipsis euphemism euphuism exaggeration expression flourish flower hyperbole image imagery irony litotes malapropism manner of speaking metaphor metonymy onomatopoeia ornament oxymoron parable paradox parallel personification proteron rhetoric sarcasm satire simile stylistic device synecdoche trope tropology turn of phrase understatement way of speaking

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And the novel's final line, from inside Valentine's head, is a typical and brilliant Fordian aposiopesis: "She was setting out on …" It could end there.

From The Guardian

And he turned away with a shrug to point his admirable aposiopesis.

From Project Gutenberg

Raphael, Michael Angelo, Wiertz, Reynolds——” He paused, not in order to produce the effect of a dramatic aposiopesis, but because he could not for the moment remember other names of painters.

From Project Gutenberg

Who ever composed with greater spirit and elegance because he could define an oxymoron or an aposiopesis?”

From Project Gutenberg

By judicious selection, by innuendo, here a pitying aposiopesis, there an indignant outburst, the charges are heaped up.

From Project Gutenberg

aposiopesis

Example Sentences

Related Words