terms that, depending on context, can have opposite or contradictory meanings

  • bolt: to secure, or to flee
  • bound: heading to a destination, or restrained from movement
  • buckle: to connect, or to break or collapse
  • clip: to fasten, or detach
  • dust: to add fine particles, or to remove them
  • fine: excellent, or acceptable or good enough
  • finished: completed, or ended or destroyed
  • go: to proceed or succeed, or to weaken or fail
  • hold up: to support, or to impede
  • left: remained, or departed
  • model: an exemplar, or a copy
  • overlook: to supervise, or to neglect
  • put out: extinguish, or generate
  • quite: rather (as a qualifying modifier), or completely
  • refrain: to desist from doing something, or to repeat
  • screen: to present, or to conceal
  • shop: to patronize a business in order to purchase something, or to sell something
  • skin: to cover, or to remove
  • temper: to soften, or to strengthen
  • transparent: invisible, or obvious
  • trim: to decorate, or to remove excess from
  • trip: a journey, or a stumble
  • wear: to endure, or to deteriorate

via [http://www.dailywritingtips.com/75-contronyms-words-with-contradictory-meanings/]

sep 14 2011 ∞
sep 14 2011 +