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Oxymoron vs. Antithesis

Oxymoron and Antithesis Definitions

Oxymoron

A rhetorical figure in which incongruous or contradictory terms are combined, as in a deafening silence and a mournful optimist.

Antithesis

Direct contrast; opposition.

Oxymoron

(rhetoric) A figure of speech in which two words or phrases with opposing meanings are used together intentionally for effect.

Antithesis

The direct or exact opposite
Hope is the antithesis of despair.

Oxymoron

A contradiction in terms.

Antithesis

A figure of speech in which sharply contrasting ideas are juxtaposed in a balanced or parallel phrase or grammatical structure, as in "Hee for God only, shee for God in him" (John Milton).
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Oxymoron

A figure in which an epithet of a contrary signification is added to a word; e. g., cruel kindness; laborious idleness.

Antithesis

The second and contrasting part of such a juxtaposition.

Oxymoron

Conjoining contradictory terms (as in `deafening silence')

Antithesis

The second stage of the Hegelian dialectic process, representing the opposite of the thesis.

Antithesis

A proposition that is the diametric opposite of some other proposition.

Antithesis

(rhetoric) A device by which two contrasting ideas are juxtaposed in parallel form; a figure of speech arranged in this manner
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Antithesis

An opposition or contrast of words or sentiments occurring in the same sentence; as, "The prodigal robs his heir; the miser robs himself." "He had covertly shot at Cromwell; he how openly aimed at the Queen."

Antithesis

The second of two clauses forming an antithesis.

Antithesis

Opposition; contrast.

Antithesis

Exact opposite;
His theory is the antithesis of mine

Antithesis

The juxtaposition of contrasting words or ideas to give a feeling of balance

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