Opposing homonyms
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I'm aware of precisely one word that is spelled and pronounced the same, yet has a completely opposite meaning depending on its context: sanction.
On one hand, it is official permission for something.
On the other hand, it is a penalty (so, the opposite of permission).
Yet you could sanction (give permission for) a sanction (penalty to be applied). Hm.
Are there any other homonyms that share this trait of having directly opposing meanings?
phrase-requests synonyms homonyms homographs
asked 12 mins ago
Mikey T.K.
229310
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I'm aware of precisely one word that is spelled and pronounced the same, yet has a completely opposite meaning depending on its context: sanction.
On one hand, it is official permission for something.
On the other hand, it is a penalty (so, the opposite of permission).
Yet you could sanction (give permission for) a sanction (penalty to be applied). Hm.
Are there any other homonyms that share this trait of having directly opposing meanings?
phrase-requests synonyms homonyms homographs
asked 12 mins ago
Mikey T.K.
229310
Yes, at least a few. Look around and tell us what you found! Good Luck.
– Kris
8 mins ago
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
favorite
up vote
0
down vote
favorite
I'm aware of precisely one word that is spelled and pronounced the same, yet has a completely opposite meaning depending on its context: sanction.
On one hand, it is official permission for something.
On the other hand, it is a penalty (so, the opposite of permission).
Yet you could sanction (give permission for) a sanction (penalty to be applied). Hm.
Are there any other homonyms that share this trait of having directly opposing meanings?
phrase-requests synonyms homonyms homographs
asked 12 mins ago
Mikey T.K.
229310
I'm aware of precisely one word that is spelled and pronounced the same, yet has a completely opposite meaning depending on its context: sanction.
On one hand, it is official permission for something.
On the other hand, it is a penalty (so, the opposite of permission).
Yet you could sanction (give permission for) a sanction (penalty to be applied). Hm.
Are there any other homonyms that share this trait of having directly opposing meanings?
phrase-requests synonyms homonyms homographs
phrase-requests synonyms homonyms homographs
asked 12 mins ago
Mikey T.K.
229310
asked 12 mins ago
Mikey T.K.
229310
asked 12 mins ago
Mikey T.K.
229310
asked 12 mins ago
Mikey T.K.
229310
asked 12 mins ago
Mikey T.K.
229310
229310
Yes, at least a few. Look around and tell us what you found! Good Luck.
– Kris
8 mins ago
add a comment |
Yes, at least a few. Look around and tell us what you found! Good Luck.
– Kris
8 mins ago
Yes, at least a few. Look around and tell us what you found! Good Luck.
– Kris
8 mins ago
Yes, at least a few. Look around and tell us what you found! Good Luck.
– Kris
8 mins ago
add a comment |
1 Answer
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These words are called auto-antonyms or contronyms; Wikipedia has an extensive list of examples in the English language, including your 'sanction'.
My favourite is 'oversight':
"Oversight" can mean "accidental omission or error", or "close scrutiny and control".
since they (too) often occur together...
answered 1 min ago
Glorfindel
5,07682636
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1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
0
down vote
These words are called auto-antonyms or contronyms; Wikipedia has an extensive list of examples in the English language, including your 'sanction'.
My favourite is 'oversight':
"Oversight" can mean "accidental omission or error", or "close scrutiny and control".
since they (too) often occur together...
answered 1 min ago
Glorfindel
5,07682636
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
These words are called auto-antonyms or contronyms; Wikipedia has an extensive list of examples in the English language, including your 'sanction'.
My favourite is 'oversight':
"Oversight" can mean "accidental omission or error", or "close scrutiny and control".
since they (too) often occur together...
answered 1 min ago
Glorfindel
5,07682636
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
These words are called auto-antonyms or contronyms; Wikipedia has an extensive list of examples in the English language, including your 'sanction'.
My favourite is 'oversight':
"Oversight" can mean "accidental omission or error", or "close scrutiny and control".
since they (too) often occur together...
answered 1 min ago
Glorfindel
5,07682636
These words are called auto-antonyms or contronyms; Wikipedia has an extensive list of examples in the English language, including your 'sanction'.
My favourite is 'oversight':
"Oversight" can mean "accidental omission or error", or "close scrutiny and control".
since they (too) often occur together...
answered 1 min ago
Glorfindel
5,07682636
answered 1 min ago
Glorfindel
5,07682636
answered 1 min ago
Glorfindel
5,07682636
answered 1 min ago
Glorfindel
5,07682636
5,07682636
add a comment |
add a comment |
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Yes, at least a few. Look around and tell us what you found! Good Luck.
– Kris
8 mins ago