Autoantonyms

Posted by PS on June 08, 2004 at 15:57:32:

How many autoantonyms (self-antonyms) can you think of?

"FAST" can mean both "moving quickly" and "fixed firmly in position."

"ENJOIN" can mean both "to order or demand" and "to forbid."

"CLEAVE" can mean both "to split" and "to adhere."

"RENTER" can mean both the "lessor" and the "lessee."

"TABLED" can mean both "proposed" and "shelved."

"TRANSPARENT" can mean both "invisible" and "easily seen or perceived."

"HANDICAPPED" can mean "disadvantaged" or "given an advantage" (as in golf).

"OVERSIGHT" can mean both "careful supervision" and "erroneous omission."

There are also antonymic phrases:

"IT'S ALL UPHILL FROM HERE" can mean "there are better times ahead" or "the hardest part is coming."

Follow Ups:

• Re: Autoantonyms terry 07:19:45 06/10/04 (0)
• Re: Autoantonyms Terry 07:31:00 06/09/04 (2)
  • Bill's turn.... giveawayboy 04:52:07 06/10/04 (1)
    • Re: Bill's turn.... PS 12:47:37 06/10/04 (0)
• Re: Autoantonyms kle2 22:44:08 06/08/04 (1)
  • antonym = opposite; autoantonym = self-opposite PS 23:42:00 06/08/04 (0)

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