1. plural of oxymoron; phrases that combine contradictory or opposing terms
Usage: rhetoric; literary device

Examples

• The teacher explained that ‘deafening silence’ and ‘jumbo shrimp’ are common oxymorons.
• Writers often use oxymorons to create dramatic effect in their poetry.
• Students struggled to identify the oxymorons in the literary passage.
• ‘Act naturally’ and ‘pretty ugly’ are examples of oxymorons we use daily.
• The comedian’s routine was full of clever oxymorons that made the audience laugh.
• Shakespeare frequently employed oxymorons in his plays to express complex emotions.