antilogy

A speaker's antilogy confused the audience during the debate.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A contradiction in terms: "antilogy" refers to a statement or expression that contains an inherent contradiction or inconsistency, often involving a conflict between ideas or words within the same context.
   • A self-contradictory phrase: In rhetoric or logic, "antilogy" denotes a combination of words or concepts that are logically incompatible, such as "a living death" or "a deafening silence."

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The phrase "bittersweet" is a classic example of antilogy, as it combines opposing tastes. (A self-contradictory expression.)
  • Her argument was weakened by an antilogy that confused the audience. (A logical contradiction in a statement.)

Advanced Usage

• "to create an antilogy": to produce a statement that is internally inconsistent.
  • The poet deliberately created an antilogy to highlight the paradox of human emotion. (The poet used a contradictory phrase for effect.)

Variants and Related Words

• Antilogous (adj): contradictory or inconsistent.

  • The antilogous nature of the proposal made it impossible to implement. (The proposal was self-contradictory.)

• Antilogism (n): a syllogism or argument that contains a contradiction.

  • The philosopher's antilogism revealed a flaw in the logical system. (A contradictory argument.)

Synonyms

• Contradiction: a statement that opposes or conflicts with another.
• Paradox: a seemingly self-contradictory statement that may contain a truth.

Related Idioms

• A contradiction in terms: an expression that is inherently conflicting.

  • "Jumbo shrimp" is a contradiction in terms, much like an antilogy. (A phrase with opposing elements.)

• A mixed message: a communication that conveys conflicting signals.

  • His speech was full of antilogy, delivering a mixed message to the listeners. (A confusing or contradictory message.)