oxymoron

[ok-si-mawr-on, -mohr-] / ˌɒk sɪˈmɔr ɒn, -ˈmoʊr- /

NOUN

figure of speech

Synonyms

WEAK

adumbration allegory alliteration allusion analogue analogy anaphora anticlimax antistrophe antithesis aposiopesis 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 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.

“Foreseeable future” is an oxymoron right up there with “jumbo shrimp.”

From Barron's • May 1, 2026

However, over the decades, you learn work/life balance is an oxymoron and characteristics such as integrity and loyalty are often valued but rarely useful on a spreadsheet.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

You can, even if it sounds like an oxymoron, travel alone without being a solo traveler.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 17, 2026

He was, if we may use an oxymoron, a libertarian builder.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 13, 2026

On the other hand, maybe it was not an oxymoron.

From "The Thing About Jellyfish" by Ali Benjamin

Vocabulary lists containing oxymoron

Literary Devices & Figures of Speech - Introductory

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Poetry: Literary Devices

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AP English Lit exam terms

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