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CEFR C1 — Advanced

Oxymoron

Definition

(formal) A figure of speech that combines two words or phrases that seem to be opposite in meaning, often used to create a striking or thought-provoking effect.

Example Sentences

1The phrase 'jumbo shrimp' is a classic example of an oxymoron, as 'jumbo' implies large size, while 'shrimp' implies small size.
2Is 'bitter sweet' an oxymoron, or simply a contradictory phrase?
3The term 'open secret' is often cited as an oxymoron, as a secret is typically something hidden or unknown.
4Try to identify the oxymoron in the following sentence: 'The deafening silence was oppressive.'
5Some critics argue that the phrase 'living dead' is an oxymoron, as 'living' and 'dead' are mutually exclusive states.

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