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Apophasis: meaning, pronunciation and examples
Apophasis noun. Raising a subject by saying that you won't mention it.
How to say it
uh-POF-uh-sis/əˈpɒfəsɪs/
4 syllables, stressed on the second (POF).
Apophasis in a sentence
'I won't bring up his three divorces,' she said, a perfect apophasis.
Political speeches lean on apophasis, as in ‘Far be it from me to mention the expenses scandal’.
Similar and opposite
Similar:
- paralipsis
- preterition
Where apophasis comes from
From Greek apophasis, denial, from apophanai, to say no.
Test yourself
Which word fills the gap?
Political speeches lean on _____, as in ‘Far be it from me to mention the expenses scandal’.
- apophasis
- dogma
- logomachy
Show the answer
apophasis: Political speeches lean on apophasis, as in ‘Far be it from me to mention the expenses scandal’.