An oxymoron is a literary device that combines contradictory or opposing words or ideas within a single phrase or expression.
The purpose of an oxymoron is often to create a paradox, evoke irony, or emphasize a complex truth or situation.
Common examples include “jumbo shrimp,” “deafening silence,” and “bittersweet.” Oxymorons are used in literature, poetry, rhetoric, and everyday language to add depth, nuance, or a touch of wit to the message being conveyed.
They highlight the tension between opposing concepts, inviting the audience to think more deeply about the underlying meaning.