Word of the Day!

obloquy [ob-luh-kwee]

noun:
1 strongly condemnatory utterance : abusive language
2 the condition of one that is discredited : bad repute

Examples:

In the slew of rightist culture-war bogeymen, from 'cultural Marxism' to 'critical race theory', one of the most surprising candidates for obloquy is postmodernism. (Richard Seymour, How postmodernism became the universal scapegoat of the era, The New Statesman, June 2021)

The three-member panel on Feb 28 ruled Czuprynski engaged 'in conduct that exposed the legal profession to obloquy, contempt, censure and reproach.' (Cole Waterman, Ex-federal prosecutor’s law license suspended for misrepresenting information in biker gang case, Michigan Live, March 2019)

But as the priceless treasure too frequently hides at the bottom of a well, it needs some courage to dive for it, especially as he that does so will be likely to incur more scorn and obloquy for the mud and water into which he has ventured to plunge, than thanks for the jewel he procures; as, in like manner, she who undertakes the cleansing of a careless bachelor's apartment will be liable to more abuse for the dust she raises than commendation for the clearance she effects. (Anne Bronte, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall)

And therefore I cannot rest, I cannot be silent; therefore I cast aside comfort and happiness, health and good repute - and go out into the world and cry out the pain of my spirit! Therefore I am not to be silenced by poverty and sickness, not by hatred and obloquy, by threats and ridicule - not by prison and persecution, if they should come - not by any power that is upon the earth or above the earth, that was, or is, or ever can be created. (Upton Sinclair, The Jungle)

Origin:

mid-15c, obloquie, 'evil speaking, slander, calumny, derogatory remarks,' from Medieval Latin obloquium 'speaking against, contradiction,' from Latin obloqui 'to speak against, contradict,' from ob 'against' (see ob-) + loqui 'to speak,' from PIE root tolkw- 'to speak.' (Online Etymology Dictionary).

oxymoron [ok-si-mawr-on, -mohr- ]
noun:

1 a figure of speech by which a locution produces an incongruous, seemingly self-contradictory effect, as in 'cruel kindness' or 'to make haste slowly'.
2 broadly : something (such as a concept) that is made up of contradictory or incongruous elements

Examples:

Which is a logistical problem that echoes a philosophical one in both the show and our own world: Isn’t the term virtual reality inevitably an oxymoron? (Spencer Kornhaber, Westworld’s Virtual Afterlife Might Not Be Fiction)

The phrase 'domestic cat' is an oxymoron. . (Robin D Gill, The Cat Who Thought Too Much - An Essay Into Felinity )

Time management is an oxymoron. Time is beyond our control, and the clock keeps ticking regardless of how we lead our lives. Priority management is the answer to maximizing the time we have. (Dr John C Maxwell, Taming Time)

Origin:

Mid 17th century: from Greek oxumōron, neuter (used as a noun) of oxumōros ‘pointedly foolish’, from oxus 'sharp' + mōros 'foolish'. (OED)

1650s, from Greek oxymoron, noun use of neuter of oxymoros (adj.) 'pointedly foolish,' from oxys 'sharp, pointed' (from PIE root ak- 'be sharp, rise (out) to a point, pierce') + mōros 'stupid'. Rhetorical figure by which contradictory terms are conjoined so as to give point to the statement or expression; the word itself is an illustration of the thing. Now often used loosely to mean 'contradiction in terms.' (Online Etymology Dictionary)