Contronym
A contronym, sometimes spelled contranym (also antagonym is used), is a word that is its own opposite. For example, the word "fast" can mean "moving quickly" as in "what a fast runner," or it can mean "unable to move" as in "stuck fast." It is a special kind of an antonym, where the two words are homonyms or homophones.
There are two ways a word becomes an contronym:
- 1. Two different words become the same. (Cleave)
- 2. The word changes meaning to the contrary, but the original meaning stays alive. (Awful)
List of Contronyms
- Awful: Extremely unpleasant, ugly or Awe-inspiring
- Bolt - quickly left; or stuck, as in bolted to the floor
- Cleave - to stick to, adhere; or to split
- Fast - fast moving; or unmoving, e.g. hard and fast
- Sanction - to permit, allow; or to punish, impose a penalty on
See also
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