THE antithesis is figure of speech classified as a thinking figure. It consists of the intentional approximation of words with opposite meanings to give more intensity to the expression.
Indeed, this is the characteristic of figures of thought. The meaning behind the idea that appeals to the imagination of the recipient of the message.
If the function of figures of speech, in addition to embellishing expressions, gives expressions another intensity, this is what the antithesis does. By bringing together, in the same sentence, words with opposite meanings, it conveys, more easily and more directly, the idea of what is happening.
Index
Also check: Definitely or certainly.
Check the examples and identify the contrast between words:
There is a confusion between antithesis and paradox. Let's look at each example to further explain the difference between them.
The song in question, by Leandro & Leonardo, from the 1990s, gives the idea that there is a constant between violence and love in the relationship. The second example highlights weather changes according to each time of year. The third example shows how people can experience different situations during their lives, in which every day is not always a victory. A similar example follows, showing how a person can be vindictive and it is important to think twice before harming someone.
In the fifth example, the professional's routine is highlighted, having to deal with what is a lie and in search of what is true. The sixth and seventh examples, taken from the Bible, follow the same line of thought as examples 3 and 4, with a tone of promise of something good in detriment of something bad that has occurred.
In the last example, the expression is one of the most used in our daily lives and, generally, it is used in situations where the person wants to make their personality very clear with the way of doing things.
These two figures of speech are often confused by their function. Both are figures of thought. However, unlike the paradox, the antithesis only brings opposite terms together to give more intensity to the expression, as we have already explained. The antithesis is not a contradiction.
However, the paradox is an intentional contradiction that serves to make the receiver reflect on what is being said. However, this is not an inconsistency caused by the interlocutor's error. To learn more about the paradox, click on this link.
To learn more about other figures of thought, visit this link and dig deeper into the subject. We also explain more about the figure of speech and we give several other examples such as sound figures, construction figures and pictures of words.
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