May 28, 2015

Contronyms


                                                               



A contronym has contradictory definitions that can mess with your head. 
Some words are just weird. You think you're using them correctly, but then there's that moment of doubt. Does that word mean something else entirely? One of the ironies of the English language is that occasionally, both meanings are correct — even if they're wildly different.
A contronym (also called a contranym or an autoantonym) is a word with two meanings that happen to be the opposite of each other. Specifically, according to the grammarly blog, "a contronym is a word with a homonym (another word with the same spelling but different meaning) that is also an antonym (a word with the opposite meaning)."
Got that?
Contronyms are also sometimes referred to "Janus words" after the two-faced Roman god. Here are 30 contronyms and their contradictory, two-faced definitions.

With many thanks to Mary Jo DiLonardo at MNN 
Related: Paraprosdokians 



Bolt
To separate by fleeing or to hold together (as with a bolt)
Bound
Going toward a destination or restrained from moving
Buckle
To fasten together (with a buckle) or to bend or collapse from pressure
Cleave
To adhere firmly and closely or to split apart
Clip
To fasten (as with a paperclip) or to detach with shears (clipping your hair or your hedges)
Consult
To give advice or to get advice
Custom
A common practice or a specially made item
Dust
To cover something with a fine power or to make something clean by brushing or removing dust
Enjoin
To order someone to do something or to prohibit someone from doing something
Fast
Firmly fixed and unmoving or able to move rapidly
Finished
Completed or destroyed
Garnish
To add decorative touches (to food or drink) or to take/withhold from (as in wages)
Handicap
An advantage given to equalize chances of winning (as in golf) or a disadvantage that makes equality difficult
Lease
To rent property or to offer property for rent
Left
Departed or remained behind
Model
The original, perfect example or a copy
Off
Not operating (turn off the light) or operating (the alarm went off)
Out
Visible (the stars are out) or invisible (the lights are out)
Overlook
To watch or to fail to notice
Oversight
Watchful, responsible care or a mistake made due to forgetfulness or poor supervision
Peruse
To skim or to read very carefully
Ravel
To separate or to become entangled
Rent
To lease something or to offer an something for lease
Sanction
To boycott or to approve
Screen
To hide or to show (like a movie)
Seed
To add seed ("seeding the lawn") or to remove seed ("seeding a watermelon")
Strike
To hit or to miss while trying to hit
Trim
To add (decorations) or to take away (extra hair or fabric, for example)
Wear
To endure or to deteriorate
Weather
To withstand or to be worn away

Paraprosdokians

 Heteronyms 

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