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antiphrasis

[ an-tif-ruh-sis ]

noun

, Rhetoric.
  1. the use of a word in a sense opposite to its proper meaning.

antiphrasis

/ ænˈtɪfrəsɪs /

noun

  1. rhetoric the use of a word in a sense opposite to its normal one, esp for ironic effect
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Words From

  • an·ti·phras·tic [an-ti-, fras, -tik], anti·phrasti·cal adjective
  • anti·phrasti·cal·ly adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of antiphrasis1

1525–35; < Latin < Greek, derivative of antiphrázein to speak the opposite ( anti- anti- + phrázein to speak); phrase, sis
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Word History and Origins

Origin of antiphrasis1

C16: via Late Latin from Greek, from anti- + phrasis, from phrazein to speak
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Example Sentences

The friend who presented me with him had given him, perhaps by antiphrasis, the startling name of Pelléas.

Instances of antiphrasis in the names given to black slaves are very common.

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antiphonyAntiphus

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