oxymoron

noun

ox·​y·​mo·​ron ˌäk-si-ˈmȯr-ˌän How to pronounce oxymoron (audio)
-sē-
plural oxymorons also oxymora ˌäk-si-ˈmȯr-ə How to pronounce oxymoron (audio)
-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 adjective
oxymoronically 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But for now, he’s established himself as something of an oxymoron instead: the mainstream indie filmmaker. Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 26 Oct. 2024 And while sometimes family and wellness might seem like an oxymoron, Marbella Club manages to do both exceptionally well. Devorah Lev-Tov, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2024 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 See all Example Sentences for oxymoron 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of oxymoron was in 1656

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Dictionary Entries Near oxymoron

Cite this Entry

“Oxymoron.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oxymoron. Accessed 27 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

oxymoron

noun
ox·​y·​mo·​ron ˌäk-si-ˈmōr-ˌän How to pronounce oxymoron (audio)
-ˈmȯr-
plural oxymorons also oxymora -ˈmōr-ə How to pronounce oxymoron (audio)
-ˈmȯr-ə
: a combination of contradictory words (as cruel kindness)
Etymology

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

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