Contronyms | Definition | Examples | List | Sentences – Englishguru

 CONTRONYMS | DEFINITION |EXAMPLES | LIST | MEANING

What are Contronyms?

Contronyms are words that have different meanings one of which is the exact opposite of the other contronyms are also known  as  auto antonyms or Janus words

The word Contronyms  ( Also the synonym antagonym ) is used to refer that some freaks of the language evolution, are their own antonyms. Contronyms are special cases of homographs (. two words with the same spelling ) 

Let’s read a few examples of the Contronyms :

1. Fix:  Restore, Castrate

2. Rinky-dink: Insignificant, one who frequents rink works

3. Variety: Rigid, Relaxing

4. Put out: Extinguish, Generate

5. Dust: Add fine particles, Remove fine particles

6. Weather: Withstand, Wear away

7. Sanguine: Hopeful, Murderous

8. Unbending: Rigid, Relaxing

9. Flog: Criticize harshly, promote aggressively

10. Clip: Fasten, Fall apart

11. Handicap: Advantage, Disadvantage

12. Rent: Sell use of, Buy use of

13. Out: Visible, Invisible

14. Oversight: Error, Care

15. Variety: Rigid, Relaxing 

16. Wear: Endure through use, Decay through use

17. Anabasis: Military advance, Military retreat

18. Bolt: Secure, Runaway

19. Buckle: Fasten, Fall apart

20. Copemate: Antagonist, Partner

21. Screen: Show, Hide

22. Quite: Rather, Completely

23. Garnish: Enhance, Curtail

24. Strike: Hit, Miss

25. Table: purpose, Set aside

26. Transparent: Invisible, Obvious

27. Wind up: End, Startup

28. Sanction: Approve, Boycott

29. First degree: Most severe, Least severe

30. Grade: Incline, Level

31. Off: On, off

32. Trip: A journey, A stumble

33. Discursive: Proceeding coherently from topic to topic, Moving aimlessly from topic to topic

34. Consult: Ask for advice, Give advice

35. With Alongside, Against

36. Seed: Add Seeds, Remove Seeds

37. Quiddity: Essence, Trifling point

38. Aught: All, Nothing

39. Apology: Or a defense on one, A statement of contribution for an action

40. Out of: Inside, Outside

41. Custom: Special, Usual

42. Enjoin: Prohibit, Prescribe

43. Liege: Sovereign lord, Loyal subject

44. Dollop: A large amount, A small amount

45. Give out: Produce, Stop production

46. Skin: To cover, To remove

47. Fast: Unmoving, Quick

48. Left: Remaining, Departed from

49. By: Multiplication, division

50. Chuffed: Pleased, Annoyed

51. Cleave: Adhere, Separate

52. Help: Assist, Prevent

53. Dike: Ditch, Dike

54. Mean: Average, Excellent

55. Deceptively Smart: Dumber than one appears, Smarter than one appears