 Original copy

Examples of  Painfully beautiful



Oxymoron
Passive aggressive
 Random order
 Small crowd
An oxymoron is a figure of speech containing
words that seem to contradict each other. It's  Sweet sorrow
often referred to as a contradiction in terms.
As with other rhetorical devices, oxymoron’s  True myth

are used for a variety of purposes. Sometimes  Walking dead

they're used to create a little bit of drama for  Weirdly normal
the reader; sometimes they're used to make a
person stop and think, whether that's to laugh
or to wonder. Oxymorons in Sayings and
A common oxymoron is the phrase "the same Quotes
difference." This phrase qualifies as
There are some well-known phrases and
an oxymoron because the words "same" and
quotations that make use of oxymorons.
"difference" have opposite meanings. Bringing
Seeing these oxymorons used in context may
them together into one phrase produces a
provide a better idea of how and why they're
verbally puzzling, yet engaging, effect.
used.
Common Oxymorons  "I like a smuggler. He is the only honest
thief." - Charles Lamb
It's likely you've used, or at least heard, a
couple oxymorons in your everyday life, even  "I can believe anything, provided that it is
if you didn't realize it at the time. Let's see if quite incredible." - Oscar Wilde
any of these examples of oxymorons hit home  "And faith unfaithful kept him falsely
for you: true." - Alfred Tennyson
 Act naturally  "Modern dancing is so old fashioned." -
 Alone together Samuel Goldwyn

 Amazingly awful  "A business that makes nothing but

money is a poor business." - Henry Ford
 Bittersweet
 "I am a deeply superficial person." - Andy
 Clearly confused Warhol
 Dark light  "We're busy doing nothing." - Bing
 Deafening silence Crosby

 Definitely maybe  "No one goes to that restaurant anymore.

It's always too crowded." - Yogi Berra
 Farewell reception
 "A joke is an extremely serious issue." -
 Growing smaller Winston Churchill
 Jumbo shrimp  "I like humanity, but I loathe persons." -
Edna St. Vincent Millay
 Only choice
 "I generally advise persons never ever to
 Open secret
present assistance." - P.G. Wodehouse
 64 Examples of
Purpose of Oxymorons Oxymorons in
Why use phrases that don't seem to make
logical sense? Well, there are a few good
Sentences
reasons why, starting with dramatic effect. Oxymorons are figures of speech in which
two contradictory terms are combined in
Dramatic Effect order to create a rhetorical effect by
Saying that a picture or a scene is "painfully paradoxical means. The word oxymoron is
beautiful" calls attention to the speaker and the derived from the Greek for pointedly
object of inquiry. Such a phrase shows that an foolish (oxys = sharp/keen and moros =
object can have two different qualities at once, foolish). Oxymorons are extremely useful in
making it a subject for study and analysis. written English because they can make
effective titles, add dramatic effect, add
Adding Flavor to Speech flavor to speech, and can sometimes be used
to achieve a comedic effect. Here is a
When someone says a phrase such as comprehensive list of 64 examples of
"naturally weird" or "clearly confused," the
oxymorons in sentences. In each example,
speaker is finding a new way to describe that
the oxymoron is underlined.
individual or object. Adding the adverb
"naturally" to the first phrase makes it even
more apparent that the subject of discussion is
rather unusual, as opposed to the effect the
word "weird" would have on its own.
Examples of Oxymorons
For Entertainment
Sometimes people aren't trying to make a
profound statement when they use oxymorons. in Sentences
Instead, they want to be witty and show they
can use words to make people laugh. One 1. This is another fine mess you have got us
example of this is when Oscar into.
Wilde comically reflected on the fact that he
"can resist anything, except temptation." 2. There is a real love hate relationship
developing between the two of them.
Pointedly Foolish 3. Suddenly the room filled with a deafening
silence.
So you can see that oxymorons add humor or
4. The comedian was seriously funny.
drama to speech or writing, allowing you to
make a funny or pointed remark. As well as 5. You are clearly confused by the situation
playing with oxymorons, Oscar Wilde was you have found yourself in.
also a master of symbolism. He enjoyed 6. Her singing was enough to raise the living
writing things that weren't meant to be taken dead.
literally, simply pondered upon.
7. Do you have the original copies that we
When you're ready to graduate from requested?
oxymorons to symbolism, enjoy
8. This is a genuine imitation Rolex watch.
these examples of symbolism in literature.
May they inspire you through all your writing 9. I really would like to try that new jumbo
adventures. shrimp restaurant.
10. His new girlfriend really is pretty ugly.
11. Sorry, I can’t help you out right now, I am 36. She is my least favorite relation.
involved in my own minor crisis.
37. The story was based on the concept
12. Give me the fifty dollars you owe me or of a true myth.
pay for dinner, it’s the same difference.
38. That is an example of the typically
13. My trip to Bali was very much a working weird behavior she continually
holiday. demonstrates.
14. I let out a silent scream as the cat walked 39. He has become an extremely unpopular
through the door carrying a dead bird. celebrity.
15. You are going to have to use proofreading 40. I’m on a heavy diet until my wedding day.
services, it is your only choice.
41. I am a deeply superficial person.
16. The seventies was the era of free love.
42. I like a smuggler. He is the only honest
17. I will ask the professor for his unbiased thief.
opinion.
43. Good grief, we’re really late.
18. The constant variable is the one that does
44. I can’t make any promises but it’s a definite
not change.
possibility.
19. The sermon lasted for an endless hour.
45. She was terribly pleased with her Birthday
20. We laughed and cried through the tragic present.
comedy.
46. The army returned friendly fire as the
21. Parting is such sweet sorrow. enemy approached.
22. They couldn’t wait to get out alone 47. He installed the new wireless cable in the
together. television room.
23. We’ll use plastic glasses at the picnic. 48. He was forced to stand down from his
position as president.
24. The student teacher explained how to
complete dissertation editing. 49. There will be zero tolerance in the future.
25. The gossip is old news. 50. I had no choice but to do what I was told.
26. The lady he eventually married is painfully
beautiful.
27. Wow! This ice cream is disgustingly
delicious.
28. Be careful in the playground, run slowly.
Funny, Sarcastic and
29. Your apple pie is awfully good.
30. A small crowd gathered to watch the
concert.
31. It’s an open secret that they have been
Cynical Oxymorons:
having an affair for the past six months.
1. Microsoft Works
32. He has a real passive
aggressive personality. 2. Military intelligence

33. You were awfully lucky to escape the car 3. Government organization
crash unscathed. 4. American history
34. Stop being a big baby. 5. Business ethics
35. I am sure I am growing smaller as I get 6. Butt Head
older.
7. Temporary tax increase
8. Twelve-ounce pound cake
9. Express Mail
10. Marital bliss
11. Congressional ethics
12. Airline Food
13. President Bush
14. Peace Keeper Missile