Which term means a combination of opposites, the union of contradictory terms?

Which term means a combination of opposites, the union of contradictory terms?

• A. Oxymoron
• B. Parable
• C. Metaphor
• D. Jargon

Answer: (A)

An oxymoron is a figure of speech that joins opposite terms to create a paradoxical effect. By pairing contrasting ideas, it highlights tension or complexity in a concept, often producing a striking or thought‑provoking image. Common examples include “bittersweet” or “deafening silence.” This directly captures the idea of a union of contradictory terms. The other terms describe different devices: a parable is a short instructive story, a metaphor is an implicit comparison between two unlike things, and jargon is specialized language used by a specific group.

An oxymoron is a figure of speech that joins opposite terms to create a paradoxical effect. By pairing contrasting ideas, it highlights tension or complexity in a concept, often producing a striking or thought‑provoking image. Common examples include “bittersweet” or “deafening silence.” This directly captures the idea of a union of contradictory terms. The other terms describe different devices: a parable is a short instructive story, a metaphor is an implicit comparison between two unlike things, and jargon is specialized language used by a specific group.