oxymoron

noun

ox·​y·​mo·​ron ˌäk-si-ˈmȯr-ˌän 

-sē-

plural oxymorons also oxymora ˌäk-si-ˈmȯr-ə 

-sē-

: a combination of contradictory or incongruous words (such as cruel kindness)

broadly : something (such as a concept) that is made up of contradictory or incongruous elements

oxymoronic

ˌäk-si-mə-ˈrä-nik 

-mȯ-

-sē-

adjective

oxymoronically

ˌäk-si-mə-ˈrä-ni-k(ə-)lē 

-mȯ-

-sē-

adverb

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a person be an oxymoron?

While we are loath to place restrictions on language use, oxymoron usually refers to a set of contradictory words (such as bittersweet) rather than to a contradictory person. We must also inform you that an oxymoron and a moron have little in common except that both words come from the Greek word for "foolish" (mōros).

What is the difference between oxymoron and paradox?

An oxymoron is a self-contradicting word or group of words (as in Shakespeare’s line from Romeo and Juliet, "Why, then, O brawling love! O loving hate!"). A paradox is a statement or argument that seems to be contradictory or to go against common sense, but that is yet perhaps still true—for example, "less is more."

Is oxymoronic a word?

Yes. Oxymoronic is the adjectival form of oxymoron. Oxymoronically is the adverbial form of the word. There is, we regret to inform you, no commonly used verb form of the word.

Examples of oxymoron in a Sentence

The phrase "Broadway rock musical" is an oxymoron. Broadway doesn't have the nerve to let the really hard stuff in the house. —Mark Coleman, Rolling Stone, 26 Dec. 1996/ 9 Jan. 1997

Taken to its logical conclusion, this emphasis on the fragmentation of the body politic makes postmodern feminism an oxymoron: feminism and virtually all our laws against sex discrimination reflect the presumption that women do in fact constitute a political category. —Wendy Kaminer, Atlantic, October 1993

He calls himself a "bleeding-heart conservative," and that oxymoron sums up the unique [Jack F.] Kemp role in the Bush Administration: the apostle of free enterprise who is the ambassador to the poor. —William Safire, New York Times Magazine, 25 Mar. 1990

As the war went on, "precision bombing" became a comical oxymoron relished by bomber crews with a sense of black humor. —Paul Fussell, Wartime, 1989

The phrase “cruel kindness” is an oxymoron.

Recent Examples on the Web

Some of the paradoxes that inhabit Eliasson’s recent work find clear form in Adrift Compass (2019), its title an apparent oxymoron. —Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 27 Sep. 2024

Meaning the oxymoron is partially born of talent deficiencies. —John Tamny, Forbes, 15 Sep. 2024

To give a man no incentive, yet ask him to be a model inmate is an oxymoron. —Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 5 Sep. 2024

Here is a nice oxymoron, about life at the hotel: The pageant of idle busyness goes on all day. —Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 2 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Late Greek oxymōron, from neuter of oxymōros pointedly foolish, from Greek oxys sharp, keen + mōros foolish

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

oxymoron

noun

ox·​y·​mo·​ron ˌäk-si-ˈmōr-ˌän 

-ˈmȯr-

plural oxymorons also oxymora -ˈmōr-ə 

-ˈmȯr-ə

: a combination of contradictory words (as cruel kindness)

Etymology

from Greek oxymōros "pointedly foolish," from Greek oxys "sharp, keen" and mōros "foolish"