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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.


  • 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)

  • consult - ask for advice, give advice

  • custom - usual, special

  • deceptively smart - smarter than one appears, dumber than one appears

  • dollop - a large amount, a small amount

  • fast - quick, unmoving

  • first degree - most severe (e.g., murder), least severe (e.g., burn)

  • flog - criticize harshly, promote aggressively

  • give out - produce, stop production