Antimetaboles meaning

Antimetaboles are a rhetorical device in which the word order of repeated phrases is reversed to create emphasis and symmetry.


Antimetaboles definitions

Word backwards selobatemitna
Part of speech The part of speech of the word "antimetaboles" is a noun.
Syllabic division An-ti-me-ta-boles
Plural The plural form of the word "antimetabole" is "antimetaboles."
Total letters 13
Vogais (4) a,i,e,o
Consonants (6) n,t,m,b,l,s

Antimetabole is a rhetorical device that involves repeating a phrase in reverse grammatical order. This literary technique is often used to emphasize a point, create a sense of balance, or add a memorable rhythm to a passage.

Definition of Antimetabole

Antimetabole is a figure of speech that involves repeating a phrase or clause in reverse order. For example, the famous quote "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country" by John F. Kennedy is a classic example of antimetabole.

Usage of Antimetabole

Antimetabole is commonly used in speeches, literature, and everyday language to make a point more forcefully or to create a sense of balance and rhythm. By repeating and reversing a phrase, antimetabole can grab the listener's attention and emphasize the message being conveyed.

Examples of Antimetabole

There are many famous examples of antimetabole in literature and popular culture. One well-known example is Martin Luther King Jr.'s statement, "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."

Another example is from Winston Churchill, who famously said, "We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender."

Effectiveness of Antimetabole

Antimetabole is an effective rhetorical device because it can create a sense of symmetry and balance in a phrase or sentence. It can also help to reinforce a point by repeating it in a slightly different way. Overall, antimetabole is a powerful tool for writers and speakers looking to make their message more impactful and memorable.


Antimetaboles Examples

  1. Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.
  2. Work hard in silence, let success make the noise.
  3. Don't let a fool kiss you or a kiss fool you.
  4. Eat to live, not live to eat.
  5. Love makes time pass, time makes love pass.
  6. It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog.
  7. I forgot what I remembered, and I remembered what I forgot.
  8. Some people are teachers, others teach by example.
  9. You don't find happiness, happiness finds you.
  10. Life is short, but wisdom is long.


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  • Updated 27/06/2024 - 06:05:15