oxymoron

An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines two contradictory or opposing words or ideas to create a surprising or thought-provoking effect. For example, phrases like "jumbo shrimp" or "bittersweet" pair conflicting terms to highlight a nuanced meaning or to evoke interest. Oxymorons often add emphasis, humor, or depth, inviting the reader to think more carefully about the connection between the words and the concept they describe. They are commonly used in literature, speech, and everyday language to convey complex ideas succinctly.