oxymoron
n. countablen. a phrase that uses two words with opposite meanings to create a special effect. You use this when you want to describe something that is both good and bad at the same time.
n. a figure of speech in which two opposite words or ideas are intentionally joined to create a striking effect. Often used to highlight a paradox or a complex emotional state.
The phrase 'deafening silence' is a common oxymoron.
The author uses the oxymoron 'bitter sweet' to describe the character's mixed feelings about leaving home.
While some critics dismissed the title as a mere oxymoron, others argued that the juxtaposition of 'quiet' and 'noise' perfectly captured the novel's central theme of internal conflict.
First attested in the 17th century, noun use of 5th century Latin oxymōrum (adjective), neut. nom. form of oxymōrus (adjective), from Ancient Greek ὀξύμωρος (oxúmōros), compound of ὀξύς (oxús, “sharp, keen, pointed”) (English oxy-, as in oxygen) + μωρός (mōrós, “dull, stupid, foolish”) (English moron (“stupid person”)). Literally "sharp-dull", "keen-stupid", or "pointed-foolish" – itself an oxymoron, hence autological; compare sophomore (literally “wise fool”), influenced by similar analysis. The compound form ὀξύμωρον (oxúmōron) is not found in the extant Ancient Greek sources.