What literary device consists of a pair of contradictory words or ideas? a (n)

Antithesis is an example of a literary device where a proposition contrasts with one previously mentioned for effect. When specifically talking about a pair of contradictory words, however, the correct answer is oxymoron. These are two words that are seemingly opposite, such as ‘deafening silence’. So the correct answer is oxymoron.

Oxymoron. Took the test and got it right