oxymoron about friendship

"100 Awfully Good Examples of Oxymorons." They appear in literature and pop culture, and you probably use them all the time in your day-to-day life. On the nightly news, you might hear about an escaped prisoner or a controversy with a foreign national. Maybe you've told a joke only to get deafening silence in response. Find full texts with expert analysis in our extensive library. Friends can help you celebrate good times and provide support during bad times. What Are Some Examples of Oxymorons in Literature? Adjectives that Start with S: List of 500+ Words to Describe Someone, The Best Places to Find Free Grammar Help Online. It was called Waking Dream. Well provide oxymoron examples and provide guidance on how theyre used, but first, lets look at a more thorough oxymoron definition. This phrase demonstrates the various emotions one feels within a friendship: on one hand, it is pleasant and desirable; on the other, it creates a sense of agony and torture. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. ThoughtCo, Feb. 16, 2021, thoughtco.com/awfully-good-examples-of-oxymorons-1691814. One example of this is when Oscar Wilde comically reflected on the fact that he "can resist anything, except temptation.". An oxymoron is a figure of speech containing words that seem to contradict each other. Robust, real-time communication assistance, Write, rewrite, get ideas, and quickly reply with GrammarlyGO, Features to polish, grammar, tone, clarity, team consistency, and more, Writing assistance on 500,000+ apps and sites across your devices, For desktop apps and websites like Word and Gmail, For sites like Google Docs, Gmail, and LinkedIn, Check for grammar, spelling, and punctuation mistakes, Format citations in APA, MLA, and Chicago. Nordquist, Richard. In other words, the joy of friendship stems from the suffering it causes. Manage Settings In fact, certain literary genres are oxymorons themselves. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(360031, '21006efe-96ea-47ea-9553-204221f7f333', {"useNewLoader":"true","region":"na1"}); Hannah received her MA in Japanese Studies from the University of Michigan and holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California. Are you still searching for the perfect oxymoron? Also, they often lead the reader to an underlying truth. Because we already had such a strong foundation, this didnt impact our friendship. Here are some of the more famous oxymoron examples from historical literature: With loads of learned lumber in his head . Get the latest articles and test prep tips! As long as you remain dependent on others for approval, happiness is fleeting. Our vetted tutor database includes a range of experienced educators who can help you polish an essay for English or explain how derivatives work for Calculus. Who are you? ), so this article explains everything you need to know. Modern pop culture works hard to attract the attention of the targeted viewer or reader in todays flood of advertising. Review the example sentences below to get a better sense of how oxymorons can be used in sentences and dialogue. An oxymoron is also a noun that's defined as "a figure of speech by which a locution produces an incongruous, seemingly self-contradictory effect, as in 'cruel kindness' or 'to make haste slowly.'" So when contradictory or opposing words are combined, that expression is an oxymoron. It specializes in. When you order your jumbo shrimp, you might hope that there is an open bar. GTS Meaning: What Does It Mean and Stand For? It uses parallel structure in conjunction with opposing or unrelated words. It's a tricky thing to try to own something that remains in your possession even after you give it to many others. For some real-world examples of oxymorons in writing, review a few lines from literature and songs. But she doesnt look at all like the typical law student with her pink clothes, her Chihuahua, Bruiser, who goes with her everywhere in her tote bag, and her bright orange MacBook standing out against all the gray and silver laptops in the classroom. With the first oxymoron,"perfect imperfections," the speaker is making it clear that his lovers flaws are ultimately what make her the perfect partner for him. marekuliasz / iStock / Getty Images Plus. ., And faith unfaithful kept him falsely true., The main difference between an oxymoron and a paradox is that, . With good, and bad, and worse, alike prolific, Too much of one sort would be soporific;. You may already have beautiful friendships in your life, but if youre still in the market for friends, its never too late to cultivate new relationships that will make your life even more magnificent. Afterward, he writes an entire book, just to memorialize his friend and tell their story. An oxymoron is usually just two words (sometimes one, as in bittersweet), but a paradox is an entire statement, usually a standalone sentence or even a fullparagraph. If we prioritize choosing good people who we can trust will work through issues with us, then we can work through anything. Terms|Privacy Policy|Refund Policy|Affiliate Disclosure, Oxymorons are one of the seasonings in great, And today, youll see exactly how this flavorful figurative language helps fold more flair and fun into any, Writers have used them for centuries as a, to describe lifes oddities, conflicts, incongruities, heartbreak, and craziness. True friendship is not measured in days or decades. If it is familiar, it may sound quite trite. Keep reading for some more modern examples. Why too much medicine is just as bad as too little. Not asking you to place the friendship before your principles. Unfortunately, the people I had dedicated time to thus far were achievement-oriented and were pouring their time into work and not our friendships. Oxymorons can help us express our thoughts and feelings more clearly. We'll also take a look at many fun and often funny examples of oxymorons. Alex Lickerman, M.D., is a general internist and former Director of Primary Care at the University of Chicago and has been a practicing Buddhist since 1989. But, towards the end of school, they became very busy and were no longer able to dedicate time to hang out anymore. Our beliefs and experiences affect how we show up in a relationship. A toxic friendship can seem like an oxymoron - a friendship is supposed to enrich your life, while anything that is toxic is a source of unhealthiness and unhappiness. What's the Difference Between Oxymoron and Antithesis? "Deafening silence" indicates a quiet situation that is uncomfortably noticeable or disturbing. Well go over exactly what an oxymoron is and then show you four oxymoron examples from pop culture and literature. We both view the friendship as one that makes each others lives better, therefore its always worth the time and energy. This figure of speech is clever in that utilizing the word real to describe something that is fake actually lends a sense of truth and authenticity to something that is, by nature, untrue and inauthentic. Friendships are a crucial part of living a fulfilling life. Talk to people, exchange contact information, and follow up with them. Its so important that we surround ourselves with people who we have fun with, who support us, and people who make us better. Responsible Drinking? Check out Tutorbase! One of the most famous examples of a paradox is thesentence, "This statement is false." When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, A damned saint, an honorable villain! They are a versatile tool that sets your work apart from your competition and makes it more enjoyable and memorable by: Thats over five dozen oxymoron examples in several different formats to inspire fresh ways to hook your readers and keep their interest. Friendship is constant in all other things, Save in the office and affairs of love. Oxymoron phrases can be figuratively true but not literally true. Your writing, at its best When shes not daydreaming about her next book or article, you can find her cooking gourmet gluten-free cuisine, laughing at memes, and playing board games. Keep going to discover even more. While an oxymoron is the combination of two contradictory/opposite words in a single sentence, a paradox is an entire phrase/sentence that appears contradictory but, upon further investigation, could be true or plausible. All Rights Reserved. Whether in writing or speech, using words with oxymoronic meaning can lend a sense of humor, irony, or sarcasm. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines two seemingly contradictory or opposite ideas to create a certain rhetorical or poetic effect and reveal a deeper truth. A good influence. . ""crush the sweet poison of misused wine"" To attract true friends, be a true friend to yourself and be the friend you want to have. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Brief Introductions to Common Figures of Speech, Definition and Examples of Irony (Figure of Speech), Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia, M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester, B.A., English, State University of New York. Oxymorons can be clearly confusing (see what we did there? SAT is a registered trademark of the College Entrance Examination BoardTM. Oedipus curses his father's killer, but he is unaware that he is actually his father's killer and has cursed himself. Second, our friends help us through the difficult times. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that places contradictory terms next to each other in a word or phrase. Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone. One oxymoron example is "deafening silence," which describes a silence that is so overpowering it almost feels deafening, or extremely loudjust as an actual sound would. Highlighting their differences accentuates their meaning and the words come across stronger. Drop us a line or let's stay in touch via : Subscribe for writing hacks, special offers and free stuff, 2023 - Orpheus Technology, prowritingaid.com. These phrases demonstrates the dual sensation of pleasure and pain one may experience within a friendship as well as the importance of maintaining a sense of closeness and distance with another person. An oxymoron is a common rhetorical device that combines two or more words with contradictory meanings into a single phrase. However, oxymorons themselves are not automatically clichs. Krystal N. Craiker is the Writing Pirate, an indie romance author and blog manager at ProWritingAid. Like a paradox, an oxymoron is whats known as a contradiction in terms, although oxymorons and paradoxes are two different things, as explained below. Oxymorons are often used in everyday conversation and ina breadth of writing, such as literature, poetry, and songwriting. School Memberships, 2023 OwlEyes.org, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Awfully good, bittersweet, same difference, and original copy are a few oxymoron examples. Oxymoron is a figure of speech pairing two words together that are opposing and/or contradictory. Here are 67 examples that we think youll, Modern pop culture works hard to attract the attention of the targeted viewer or, In fact, many modern authors are coming up with their own as well, for, These examples might help you use oxymorons to good effect in your, And where did this insane notion of buying loyalty come from? Even though the two words are often antonyms (words with opposite meanings), they don't negate each other. "delicious torment" Why friends are so important Having solid friendships is important for two main reasons. What are some examples of oxymorons in literature? If you're learning English as a second language, you might be confused by these figures of speech. She feels sadness knowing she must say good night to Romeo. This presents the word silence in a unique way thats particularly expressive. Fun Fact: Oxymoron comes from the Greek word okss (meaning keen) and mros (meaning stupid). To be loyal to King Arthur, his friend, he must betray his love Guinevere, or vice versa. True friendship is seen through the heart, not through the eyes. Trust that youll recover and be yourself again. Writers have used them for centuries as a literary device to describe lifes oddities, conflicts, incongruities, heartbreak, and craziness. Friends prevent isolation and loneliness and give you a chance to offer needed companionship, too. This love feel I, that feel no love in this. They can be used for emphasis, dramatic effect, or to highlight irony. Oxymoron: A rhetorical figure in which incongruous or contradictory terms are combined. Such a phrase shows that an object can have two different qualities at once, making it a subject for study and analysis. Here are some examples of oxymoron that may be found in everyday writing or conversation: Think you havent heard of any famous oxymorons? Oxymorons are cynical and fun. Yet, the depth and meaning of friendship certainly go beyond the simple and the common. Many of us have people in our lives with whom we feel the bond described by the word kenzoku. By that measure, no crisis is unimportant or minor. Highlighting their differences accentuates their meaning and the words come across stronger. Now you can see that oxymorons add humor or drama to speech or writing, allowing you to make a funny or pointed remark. Read literally, they contradict themselves. Oxymorons are not meant to be taken literally. I want to receive exclusive email updates from YourDictionary. powerful, a gift of great value! "beautiful enemy" Instead, they want to be witty and show they can use words to make people laugh. Go beyond words when generative AI comes to Grammarly, Grammarly helps you communicate confidently. We get to share the beautiful aspects of life with people who we. Our new student and parent forum, at ExpertHub.PrepScholar.com, allow you to interact with your peers and the PrepScholar staff. Real friendship is shown in time of troubles, prosperity is full of friendship. Psychology Today 2023 Sussex Publishers, LLC, Source: Photo by Antonino Visalli on Unsplash. And if youre putting your time and energy into someone who isnt enriching your life and giving you the support you need, it may be time to reevaluate that friendship. First, I have the privilege of being Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee. Learn to reject friendship, or rather the dream of friendship. (see what we did there? Individuals who nag others tend to do so in relationships where there is close proximity. Some of the longest-lasting oxymorons were generated by Shakespeare in his plays and are still widely used today. Now that many employees have shown high productivity working away from the office, will their bosses now expect them to take working vacations? She decides to go to Harvard Law School because she wants to win her boyfriend back. Improve your self-confidence and self-worth. The conservative political writer William Buckley, for instance, became famous for quotes like, "An intelligent liberal is an oxymoron.". Life is like a river: It's easier and more beneficial to go with the natural flow rather than fight against it. So, where do we find friends? Make a point of coming back to it in your editing process, taking the time to find where your writing slumps and could use a kick in the phrasing. Friendship is a very simple word, very commonly used. In addition to our own actions, we have control over the friends or partners that we choose in the first place. Paradox is another literary device in which a statement features initially contrasting ideas. Today well focus on how to choose friends who enrich our lives and make them more beautiful. Through various oxymoronic expressions, such as delicious torment, beautiful enemy, and sweet poison, Emerson encapsulates the paradoxical nature of friendship. The friendship between Nelson Mandela, while imprisoned for conspiring to overthrow South Africa's apartheid government, and a young, initially pro-apartheid, white prison guard captured the . They are a versatile tool that sets your work apart from your competition and makes it more enjoyable and memorable by: Adding dramatic effect. Add a great title, like an, New, old-fashioned way from Rockin Around the Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee, Your eyes whispered have we met from Enchanted by Taylor Swift, I only wanna die alive from Break Free by Ariana Grande, Now my empty cup tastes as sweet as the punch from Along Comes Mary by the Association, When its cold outside, Ive got the month of May from My Girl by the Temptations, Funny oxymorons often come from sarcastic or cynical contradictions. Well provide oxymoron examples and provide guidance on how theyre used, but first, lets look at a more thorough oxymoron definition. tags: independent-thought , initiative , oxymoron , paradox. Therefore, the linguistic skill demonstrated in this oxymoron is a layered. Love asked, 'Why do you exist when I already exist?' This stanza, from Lord Tennysons retelling of the tale of King Arthur, usesseveral oxymorons for poetic effect and as a way to emphasize the conundrum that Lancelot, Arthurs most loyal knight and friend, finds himself in. Irony is the difference between what a reader thinks should happen in a situation versus what is actually happening. Oxymoron is sometimes used to describe a word combination that strikes the listener as humorously contradictory, even if the speaker didn't intend it that way. When Youre Most Likely to Long for Sex With Your Ex, 2 Ways Empathy Determines the Type of Partner We Choose, To Be Happy for the Rest of Your Life, Seek These Goals, 6 Surprising Ways to Change Habits and Transform Your Life, If You Think You Have ADHD, Ask Yourself These 5 Questions. Physical objects have a completely different natural economy than intellectual goods. In an allusion to line 47 of John Miltons Comus (1637), Emerson likens the joy of friendship to a sweet poison of misused wine. The oxymoron sweet poison speaks to Emersons perspective that although friendship can become rapturous, it can also become excessive. In turn, if something is acopy,then it is not original. A grammar guru, style editor, and writing mentor in one package. Ask questions; get answers. When used well, your, Oxymorons are a great way to evoke emotion, reveal a, As great a list as this might be, just reading this post and moving on wont make, Make a point of coming back to it in your editing process, taking the time to find where your. When your heart is broken, your mind wants you to remember the pain. The strong voice you were born with is still there within you, waiting for you to reconnect with it. beautiful one on earth. Sometimes people aren't trying to make a profound statement when they use oxymorons. Alfred, Lord Tennyson, "Lancelot and Elaine" inIdylls of the King. What I hope you take away from this post is this friendships take energy, time, and commitment. Sprinkle in a few to evoke a laugh, a sense of wonder, drama, playfulness, and more. I personally think intellectual property is an oxymoron. As a result, I learned how important it was to carve out time in my life for friends. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines contradictory words with opposing meanings, like old news, deafening silence, or organized chaos. Oxymorons may seem illogical at first, but in context they usually make sense. Before meeting Kevin, Max never would have written anything voluntarily. Be the friend you want to have. And once youre there, take a risk! If you didn't know, a stallion refers to a male horse. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Thankfully, through the help of a very good therapist, I learned that it was important to enjoy life instead of striving for excellence all of the time. Oxymorons are often used poetically as a way of bringing out a fresh meaning in a word or phrase. Oxymoron is also a literary device, but is considered a condensed paradox. Like other kinds of figurative language, oxymorons (or oxymora) are often found in literature. They also occasionally work well with. William Shakespeare uses antithesis in this quote from Hamlet: "Give every man thine ear, but few thy voice; take each man's censure, but reserve thy judgment.". There were quite a few people in my program that I enjoyed spending time with. Oxymoronic Diction: Some people fall into yo-yo relationship patterns in which they repeatedly leave their partners only to expect reconciliation later. s.. and older women used to be considered an oxymoron, rarely mentioned in the same breath. "The Sound of Silence": Song by Simon . How many do you? 6 Benefits of Friendship and How to Get Them 6 Ways Friendship Is Good for Your Health Reduced loneliness Less stress Emotional support Personal growth Sense of belonging Resilience Making. Men have long been silent and stoic about their inner lives, but theres every reason for them to open up emotionallyand their partners are helping. Theoxymorons here point toLancelot's contradictory existence in regard to his relationships with both Guinevere and King Arthur: Lancelot isa "faithful" and "honorable" lover to Guinevere yet also an "unfaithful" and "dishonorable" knight to King Arthur, Guineveres husband, whom he is essentially betraying by carrying out a love affair with the queen. The defining characteristic of an oxymoron is combining words or phrases that have opposite meanings. When used well, your reader or listener will at least smile if not laugh out loud. Here are a few more for your list: Many oxymorons are so commonly used that they have become clich. , oxymorons have a few different purposes in writing, all of which are quite useful in the right situation: Oxymorons tend to have deeper meanings and be more memorable than noncontradictory words, so they work great at key points in your writing for boosting reader engagement. Below, we provide you with an extensive list of oxymorons. With over 300k subscribers and 4 million readers, Smart Blogger is one of the world's largest websites dedicated to writing and blogging. Psychology Today 2023 Sussex Publishers, LLC. The supporting, loving part of our relationship wasnt there anymore, so it was no longer worth putting energy into maintaining a friendship that had changed so much. Or if you would prefer to get your master's degree, you'll be a graduate student. Too many uses of oxymoron can be either distracting or tedious for the reader. But when you find these people, these kenzoku, they're like priceless gems. The reader must momentarily pause to comprehend and process the meaningin other words, oxymorons make the reader think. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. They may be family members, a mother, a brother, a daughter, a cousin. The closer we look for the answer the more elusive it becomes. Paradox is a literary device in which a statement or group of statements features initially contrasting ideas. It's really interesting to see how this figure of speech finds its way into everyday communication. Combined, the two words add a third dimension to the meaning of friendship: there is delight in the torment. https://www.thoughtco.com/awfully-good-examples-of-oxymorons-1691814 (accessed May 1, 2023). Just try not to get freezer burn. (One, in particular, is in Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, wherein combining things that contrast is an ongoing theme.) The term 'serious actor' is kind of an oxymoron, isn't it? Thus, as the oxymoron suggests, this scene ishappy since Juliet and Romeo are in love, yet it's also sad because they must say goodbyeand cannot stay together through the night. But avoid cliques like bittersweet. Oxymoron is considered a condensed paradox. If you're in school to become an educator, you might have to spend a semester as a student teacher. If this statement is indeed false as it says, then this would actually make it true. As well as playing with oxymorons, Oscar Wilde was also a master of symbolism. However, if there is no figurative or underlying meaning to the phrase, it shouldnt be used as a proper oxymoron. My parents divorced when I was born, and my mother is a political science professor, like a feminist Mormon, which is sort of an oxymoron. Here are some examples of oxymoron phrases in well-known literary works, along with how they add to interpretation: Good night, good night! Also, mastering the oxymoron is an elegant way to weave clever wordplay into your creative writing. 12 Mood Examples From Literature (+ Definition & Writing Tips), Best Email Marketing Software: 7+ Noise-Busting Reviews (2023), 7+ Best Webinar Software Platforms to Ace Your Meetings (2023), Terrible beauty (William Butler Yeats, 1916). Boost your happiness and reduce your stress. Oxymorons are one of the seasonings in great writing. The College Entrance Examination BoardTM does not endorse, nor is it affiliated in any way with the owner or any content of this site. You'll also find examples in history and current events. It causes the reader to really think about the nature of equality. The John Legend song "All of Me" has a catchy verse with an oxymoron: Nineties kids might remember the oxymoronic (and often outright moronic!) They name things we know are contradictory but still apply at work, at home, in families, and in society. Act naturally. Grace Slick up next, we take a look at oxymoron examples in sentences from literature and pop culture. An oxymoron is a paradoxical phrase or pair of words that contradicts itself. We cant choose our parents, our genetics, or control the things that happen in the world around us. Owl Eyes is an improved reading and annotating experience for classrooms, book clubs, and literature lovers. "Civil war" reveals the irony. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/awfully-good-examples-of-oxymorons-1691814. Attachment style may predict which romantic partners remain faithful to each other. Approaching the end of the alphabet, there are still more oxymorons to explore. The first criteria one should look for in a partner is someone who is ultimately agood friend to them. The following passages highlight what others have said about friendship in the past. by William Shakespeare, wherein combining things that contrast is an ongoing theme.) Join social clubs organized around activities you enjoy. Two things that can greatly improve our lives are engaging in the here and now and seeing life as play rather than work. See in text("Friendship"). Trying to put a positive spin on the companys financial status, the CFO talked about the negative growth in last quarters revenue. With loads of learned lumber in his head . Oxymorons present an ideal opportunity to be clever or funny. As rhetorical devices, oxymorons have been used in many different mediums from political speeches to novels to stage plays. Science fiction, magical realism, and historical fiction are all oxymoronic. . Not everyone realizes how powerful words can be. Our goal is to help you by delivering amazing quotes to bring inspiration, personal growth, love and happiness to your everyday life. in a unique way thats particularly expressive. It's a virtual reality system. There are oxymorons throughout the alphabet, from "a" to "z." Consider these oxymoron examples: I am a deeply superficial person. Andy Warhol, I distinctly remember forgetting that. Clara Barton. These are all examples of Oxymoron's, but what are they, and how can your students use them in their writing?I. Alexander Pope, An Essay on Criticism, Of melancholy merriment, to quote. On its own silence is fairly neutralit can be calm or tense, depending on the context. A defense of online intimacy. The book and HBO hit series Big Little Lies has an oxymoron right in its title. Smiles are rarely associated with pain. Like. A crisis is defined as a time of serious difficulty or importance. Feel free to look throughthis vast list of oxymoron examplesif youre in need of an oxymoron for something you're writing or if you simply want tolearn some of the most commonones. Dr. Richard Nordquist is professor emeritus of rhetoric and English at Georgia Southern University and the author of several university-level grammar and composition textbooks. Alfred, Lord Tennyson uses three examples of oxymoron in one sentence in Idylls of the King. But once you become fluent in English, it's easy to recognize such oxymorons for the figures of speech that they are. Learn everything you need to know about grammar. Heres a tip: Want to make sure your writing shines? To want friendship is a great fault. This contradiction is also known as aparadox. It is not an oxymoron I assure you. This oxymoron is symbolic of the human condition as reflected in the poets mention of our human lot. In addition, this oxymoron supports and complements the balance of oppositions featured in the rest of the poems structure, such as good and bad, without or with, and friends or foes. Note: All bold emphasis in the following quotations is my own. Oxymoron Quotes. In Fairies and the Quest for Never Land, Gail Carson Levine describes the character Vidia as a "loyal traitor". In speech, oxymorons can lend a sense of humor, irony, or sarcasm. When my boyfriend gave me a definite maybe about going out this Friday night, that was the last straw. Research shows flirting is difficult to detect, but there are ways to improve. An oxymoron is a figure of speech, usually one or two words, in which seemingly contradictory terms appear side by side. . In contrast, an oxymoron is a description thats enjoyed in the moment and then forgotten as the reader or listener moves on. An oxymoron can confuse a reader intentionally, or paradoxically, it can offer clarity. One Personality Trait Predicts Longevity More Than OthersBut Why?
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