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oxymoron

Browse the Dictionary:: A; B; C; D; E; F; G; H; I; J; K; L; M; N; O; P; Q; R; S; T; U; V; W; X; Y; Z; #

oxymoron

Main Entry:: ox·y·mo·ron
Pronunciation:: \ˌäk-sē-ˈmȯr-ˌän\
Function:: noun
Inflected Form(s):: plural ox·y·mo·rons also ox·y·mo·ra \-ˈmȯr-ə\
Etymology:: Late Greek oxymōron, from neuter of oxymōros pointedly foolish, from Greek oxys sharp, keen + mōros foolish
Date:: 1657

: a combination of contradictory or incongruous words (as cruel kindness); broadly : something (as a concept) that is made up of contradictory or incongruous elements

— ox·y·mo·ron·ic

Listen to the pronunciation of oxymoronic

\-mə-ˈrä-nik, -mȯ-\ adjective

— ox·y·mo·ron·i·cal·ly

Listen to the pronunciation of oxymoronically

\-ni-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

Learn more about "oxymoron" and related topics at Britannica.com

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