Which term refers to the combination of opposite ideas in a single expression?

Which term refers to the combination of opposite ideas in a single expression?

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

Answer: (B)

Combining opposite ideas in a single expression is what an oxymoron does. It pairs contradictory terms side by side to create a striking or paradoxical effect, inviting readers to notice a nuance or surprise in meaning—like “jumbo shrimp” or “deafening silence.” This differs from a metaphor, which is a direct comparison that says one thing is another to reveal a shared trait (not necessarily opposites). Onomatopoeia refers to words that imitate sounds (buzz, crash). A parable is a short story that conveys a moral lesson. So the term that captures the fusion of opposing ideas in one phrase is oxymoron.

Combining opposite ideas in a single expression is what an oxymoron does. It pairs contradictory terms side by side to create a striking or paradoxical effect, inviting readers to notice a nuance or surprise in meaning—like “jumbo shrimp” or “deafening silence.”

This differs from a metaphor, which is a direct comparison that says one thing is another to reveal a shared trait (not necessarily opposites). Onomatopoeia refers to words that imitate sounds (buzz, crash). A parable is a short story that conveys a moral lesson. So the term that captures the fusion of opposing ideas in one phrase is oxymoron.