Definition of Catachresis
the misuse of words on purpose, usually as a stylistic writing effect
Examples of Catachresis in a sentence
When writing, the author used a catachresis when he replaced “stuffed” with “stuck”. 🔊
Surely you were using a catachresis when you said, “his cheating is the straw that broke the elephant’s back.” 🔊
Shakespeare misused words in his work, with one example being the catachresis in the line “"His complexion is perfect gallows." 🔊
My readers thought my misuse of words was an accident, but the replacement was actually a catachresis. 🔊
The poet’s catachresis made a mixed metaphor when he replaced the word “mouse” with “mouth”. 🔊
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