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Fun With Words

Contronyms

The word contronym (also the synonym antagonym) is used to refer to words that, by some freak of language evolution, are their own antonyms. Both contronym and antagonym are neologisms; however, there is no alternative term that is more established in the English language.

Contronyms are special cases of homographs (two words with the same spelling). Some examples:

  • anabasis - military advance, military retreat
  • apology - admission of fault in what you think, say, or do; formal defense of what you think, say, or do [New!]
  • aught - all, nothing
  • bolt - secure, run away
  • by - multiplication (e.g., a three by five matrix), division (e.g., dividing eight by four)
  • chuffed - pleased, annoyed
  • cleave - separate, adhere
  • clip - fasten, detach
  • consult - ask for advice, give advice
  • copemate - partner, antagonist
  • custom - usual, special
  • deceptively smart - smarter than one appears, dumber than one appears