lous25
Site Owner
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 Subject: What is a Contranym?  Mon 12 Aug - 21:58 |
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A word that can mean the opposite of itself is a contranym.They are also known as contranyms or autoantonyms.
Examples:
bound (bound for Chicago, moving)
bound (tied up, unable to move)
cleave (to cut apart)
cleave (to seal together)
buckle (buckle your pants -- to hold together)
buckle (knees buckled -- to collapse, fall apart)
citation (award for good behavior)
citation (penalty for bad behavior)
clip (attach to)
clip (cut off from)
cut (get into a line)
cut (get out of a class)
dust (remove dust)
dust (apply dust -- fingerprints)
fast (moving rapidly)
fast (fixed in position)
left (remaining)
left (having gone)
literally (literally)
literally (figuratively)
moot (arguable)
moot (not worthy of argument)
oversight (watchful control)
oversight (something not noticed)
Feel free to add more contranyms to the list above.
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