Different between Oxymoron and Paradox | Literary Term - Definition, Characteristic and Examples | Learning The Easy Way

Different between Oxymoron and Paradox:

Oxymoron is an important figure of speech in which two contradictory words are put together or side by side. For example "He is the only honest thief." In this sentence, we find two contradictory words "honest" and "thief" which are put together or side by side. On the other hand, Paradox is a self-contradictory statement that hides a rational meaning. Originally it is just a view which contradicted accepted opinion. For example, "Sweet are the uses of adversity". In the logical sense this line appears contradictory. Generally, adversity is bitter. But if we go to deeper we find the truth that adversity carries within itself the sweetness of advantages. So, we can say that paradox is an actually self-contradictory statement, but it is essentially true. 

It is very important to understand the difference between a paradox and an oxymoron. A paradox may consist of a sentence or even a group of sentence. On the other hand, an oxymoron is a combination of two contradictory or opposite words. 

Again, A paradox seems contradictory to the general truth but it does contain an implied truth. On the other hand, An oxymoron may produce a dramatic effect but does not make sense.