Name for the literary device contrasting synonyms with different connotations?

I’m thinking in terms of phrases like:

You may be [one connotation of denotation x] but you’re not [contrasting connotation of denotation x].

Two examples are:

  • He may have been your father, but he wasn't your daddy.

    from Guardians of the Galaxy 2, which contrasts two different words meaning male parent: father meaning a biological parent, and daddy meaning a father figure responsible for upbringing.

  • Just because you’re correct, it doesn’t mean you’re right.

    which contrasts factual correctness with moral rightness.

What I’m wondering is: does this kind of literary device have a name? Something less clunkier than ‘that thing Yondu said in GoTG2’? If not, does anyone have a suggestion how to call it?


paraprosdokian: a figure of speech in which the latter part of the sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected in a way that causes the reader or listener to reframe or reinterpret the first part.

Using similar adjectives as contrast makes the audience think about the small differences between the two: biological vs. relational, in your example.


I'd also go for paraprosdokian. For some great, and often funny examples see http://www.economicnoise.com/2011/09/05/182-paraprosdokians/

  1. I asked God for a bike, but I know God doesn’t work that way. So I stole a bike and asked for forgiveness.

  2. Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.

  3. I want to die peacefully in my sleep, like my grandfather. Not screaming and yelling like the passengers in his car.

  4. Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.