Can a word be its own opposite? Yes! It is called a contronym – a words that are their own
antonyms, depending on usage. Here are a few examples.
1. Dust
It can mean ‘to add fine particles’
or ‘to remove fine particles.’
2. Left
It can mean both ‘remaining’ and
‘departed.’
3. Off
“Off" can mean both ‘activated’
and ‘deactivated.’
Examples
“Set off” – Activated
“Switch off” –
Deactivated
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| See how to use some of these contronyms in sentences here. |
4. Oversight
“Oversight” means both
‘watchful care’ and ‘an inadvertent error.’
5. Screen
It means ‘to show’
and ‘to hide.’
6. Sanction
“Sanction” can mean both
‘a penalty for disobeying a law’ and ‘official permission or approval for an
action.’
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