Final answer:
An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines two contradictory terms for dramatic or humorous effect, such as 'deafening silence' or 'bitter sweet'.
Step-by-step explanation:
An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines two seemingly contradictory or opposite words into a single phrase for effect. It is a rhetorical device used to create a dramatic, comic, or thought-provoking effect. For example, the phrase 'deafening silence' uses contrasting terms to emphasize the extreme quietness that can feel overwhelming. Similarly, 'jumbo shrimp' and 'bitter sweet' are common oxymorons that challenge the reader to find harmony in seemingly incompatible terms.
Examples of Oxymoron in Use
Oxymorons are often used in literature and everyday language to convey complexity or to make a verbal impact. One contradiction in economics, known as the 'paradox of value', illustrates the oxymoron concept by comparing the high monetary value of diamonds, which are not essential for survival, with the low monetary value but high utility of water. This confounding scenario encapsulates the nature of oxymorons in highlighting conflicting properties within one entity or idea.