* Oxymoron: This is the most common and accurate term when the two opposing words are placed right next to each other. For example, "deafening silence," "living dead," or "jumbo shrimp."
* Antithesis: This is a broader term that refers to contrasting ideas within a sentence or phrase, not necessarily words that are directly opposed. The contrasting elements can be placed further apart in the sentence. For example, "Love is patient; love is kind."
* Paradox: This term applies when the two contrasting elements create a seemingly contradictory statement that may actually reveal a deeper truth. For example, "The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don't know."
* Juxtaposition: This is a general literary term that involves placing two things side-by-side for contrast or comparison, and it can be used for more than just opposing words. For example, "The lush green garden contrasted sharply with the crumbling concrete building next door."
The best term to use will depend on the specific example and the desired effect.