antiphrasis

an·tiph·ra·sis  (n-tfr-ss)

n.

The use of a word or phrase in a sense contrary to its normal meaning for ironic or humorous effect, as in a mere babe of 40 years.

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[Late Latin, from Greek, from antiphrazein, to express by the opposite : anti-, anti- + phrazein, to speak; see phrase.]

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antiphrasis

the satirical or humorous use of a word or phrase to convey an idea exactly opposite to its real significance, as Shakespeare’s “honorable men” for Caesar’s murderers. — antiphrastic, adj.

See also: Literature

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the use of a word in a sense opposite to its proper meaning. — antiphrastic, antiphrastical, adj.

See also: Rhetoric and Rhetorical Devices

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

antiphrasis - the use of a word in a sense opposite to its normal sense (especially in irony) rhetorical device - a use of language that creates a literary effect (but often without regard for literal significance) irony - a trope that involves incongruity between what is expected and what occurs