Which figure of speech combines opposite or contradictory terms in a brief phrase?

• A. Paradox
• B. Metaphor
• C. Irony
• D. Oxymoron

Answer: (D)

An oxymoron is a figure of speech that places opposite or contradictory terms together in a short expression. This pairing of conflicting ideas creates a vivid or surprising effect, inviting us to look beyond the literal words. Since the prompt asks for a brief phrase that combines opposites, the oxymoron fits perfectly. Examples like “jumbo shrimp” or “deafening silence” show how two opposing terms fuse to produce a sharp image or nuanced meaning. By contrast, a paradox is a broader statement that seems self-contradictory yet conveys a deeper truth and is usually longer; a metaphor makes a direct comparison between unlike things without using opposing terms; and irony involves a contrast between what is said or expected and what actually occurs, not just two opposite terms in a phrase.