Definition of catachresis
1
: use of the wrong word for the context
2
: use of a forced and especially paradoxical figure of speech (such as blind mouths)
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Test Your Vocabulary
February 2021 Words of the Day Quiz
-
- Which is a synonym of perdure?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!
TAKE THE QUIZ
Spell words. Make bears.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Share catachresis
Time Traveler for catachresis
The first known use of catachresis was in 1550
See more words from the same year