Question

How to differentiate between an oxymoron and a paradox

Answer 1

An oxymoron is contradicting words (deafening silence, jumbo shrimp, etc), a paradox is contradicting ideas (I must be cruel to be kind)

Answer 2

Answer:

A paradox is the opposition of ideas or themes, an oxymoron is a contradiction merely between words

Explanation:

An oxymoron is composed up of two or more words that oppose. The words "Wise fool", "Warm freezer", "Deafening silence" are examples of an oxymoron.

A paradox is a statement that is seems contradictory to common sense but could be true. Paradox examples: "Save money by spending it", "if I know one thing, it's that I know nothing", "this is the beginning of the end", "deep down, you're really shallow."

Hope this helps :)