What figure of speech involves grouping two contradictory terms?

An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines contradictory terms to create a new, often paradoxical meaning. This rhetorical device highlights the complexity of a situation or idea by pairing opposing concepts, which can provoke thought or emphasize a unique perspective. For example, phrases like "deafening silence" or "bittersweet" are classic examples of oxymorons; the juxtaposition of these contradictory words captures a nuanced emotional state or experience that wouldn't be as effectively communicated if simply stated in conventional terms.

In contrast, a metaphor implies a direct comparison between two unlike things without using "like" or "as," while a simile achieves a similar effect but involves a comparative approach. Personification, on the other hand, attributes human characteristics to non-human entities. Therefore, an oxymoron stands out distinctly in its specific function of merging contradictory ideas to enhance expression.