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what is the word when you say something but mean the opposite

by Dr. Brian Bogan MD Published 4 years ago Updated 3 years ago

Antiphrasis is the rhetorical device of saying the opposite of what is actually meant in such a way that it is obvious what the true intention is. Some authors treat and use antiphrasis just as irony, euphemism or litotes.

Full Answer

What is it called when you say the opposite of something?

Furthermore, what is it called when you say something and do the opposite? contradict. "Contra-" usually means "against," and to contradict is to go against or say the opposite of what someone else is doing or saying. Sometimes to contradict is to frustrate with words, like when one person says "The sky is blue" and another says "No, it's azure."

What is it called when you say one thing but mean another?

what's that word when you say one thing but mean another? Guest Author. You know, I remember learning back in elementary school that when someone says one thing, but does not believe or follow it himself or herself, that person is called a hypocrite. Click to see full answer.

What is it called when you say one thing but not believe?

You know, I remember learning back in elementary school that when someone says one thing, but does not believe or follow it himself or herself, that person is called a hypocrite. Click to see full answer. Similarly one may ask, what is it called when you think one word but say another? Nonfluent aphasia.

What is it called when something means the opposite?

A contronym, often referred to as a Janus word or auto-antonym, is a word that evokes contradictory or reverse meanings depending on the context. Specifically, a contronym is a word with a homonym (another word with the same spelling but different meaning) that is also an antonym (a word with the opposite meaning).14-Jan-2021

What is the word for when you say one thing but mean another?

It's called a malapropism. This is where you say one word but your audience realizes you mean another. Playwrights often put this into a character's mouth to degrade that character in the audience's mind, while purposefully making their audience laugh and feel superior. But it is also common in everyday speech.

What's the word when you say something but don't mean it?

An Idiom is a phrase that does not mean what it literally implies. Although we, as Americans, may clearly understand what the writer using an idiom is trying to convey, a reader from another culture most likely would have no idea what is being said.

What is it called when you say something indirectly?

Speaking in innuendo is when you say something indirectly — often of a hurtful or sexual nature. ... If your friend who recently stopped speaking to you glares at you across a room as she says to someone else, "I would never lie to someone I called a friend," she's making an innuendo.

What are contradictions?

1 : the act of saying something that is opposite or very different in meaning to something else No one was surprised by the defendant's contradiction of the plaintiff's accusations. Her rebuttal contained many contradictions to my arguments.

What is condescending attitude?

Full Definition of condescending : showing or characterized by a patronizing or superior attitude toward others.

What's the opposite of figuratively?

figuratively/ literally Figuratively means metaphorically, and literally describes something that actually happened. If you say that a guitar solo literally blew your head off, your head should not be attached to your body.

What is the meaning of Antiphrasis?

ironicDefinition of antiphrasis : the usually ironic or humorous use of words in senses opposite to the generally accepted meanings (as in "this giant of 3 feet 4 inches")

How does the adjective 'opposite' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of opposite are antithetical, contradictory, and contrary. While all these words mean "being so far apart as to be or seem irr...

When is it sensible to use 'antithetical' instead of 'opposite'?

While the synonyms antithetical and opposite are close in meaning, antithetical stresses clear and unequivocal diametrical opposition. // a law tha...

Where would 'contradictory' be a reasonable alternative to 'opposite'?

The words contradictory and opposite can be used in similar contexts, but contradictory applies to two things that completely negate each other so...

When is 'contrary' a more appropriate choice than 'opposite'?

The meanings of contrary and opposite largely overlap; however, contrary implies extreme divergence or diametrical opposition. // contrary assessme...

How does the adjective opposite differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of opposite are antithetical, contradictory, and contrary. While all these words mean "being so far apart as to be or seem irreconcilable," opposite applies to things in sharp contrast or in conflict.

When is it sensible to use antithetical instead of opposite?

While the synonyms antithetical and opposite are close in meaning, antithetical stresses clear and unequivocal diametrical opposition.

Where would contradictory be a reasonable alternative to opposite?

The words contradictory and opposite can be used in similar contexts, but contradictory applies to two things that completely negate each other so that if one is true or valid the other must be untrue or invalid.

When is contrary a more appropriate choice than opposite?

The meanings of contrary and opposite largely overlap; however, contrary implies extreme divergence or diametrical opposition.

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