20 Words That Are Their Own Opposites

Brooke NelsonUpdated: Dec. 02, 2022

Grammar geeks, beware: The English language is filled with words that have reverse or contradictory meanings, depending on the context.

1 / 21

Alexxndr/Shutterstock

What is a contronym?

Also called antagonyms, autoantonyms, or Janus words, contronyms are words with two definitions that contradict—or are the reverse of—each other. Put another way, “a contronym is a word with a homonym (another word with the same spelling but different meaning) that is also an antonym (a word with the opposite meaning),” according to Grammarly. Read on to enter the mind-blowing world of words that are their own opposites. And speaking of, these words mean the exact opposite of what you think.

2 / 21

Shutterstock (2)

Strike

Most people would automatically define the word “strike” as ‘to hit or deliver a blow.’ But in baseball, it can also mean ‘to miss while trying to hit.’

3 / 21

Shutterstock (2)

Seed

If you ‘seed the lawn,’ you are adding seeds to the grass. But ‘seeding a watermelon’ means that you are removing the seeds, instead. Want more word nerd trivia? These 15 common words used to mean completely different things.

4 / 21

Shutterstock (2)

Trim

When you trim the Christmas tree, are you adding its decorations or removing its branches? Technically, this term can be defined either way.

5 / 21

Shutterstock (2)

Bound

Being bound for something means you are moving towards it. But being bound by something means your actions are restrained or limited. Grammar geeks, beware: These 10 words don’t mean anything close to what they sound like, either.

6 / 21

Shutterstock (2)

Fast

Fast could mean either ‘secured in one place’ or ‘moving quickly.’ For example, you’d probably want your car to be fast, but the tires to hold fast.

7 / 21

Shutterstock (2)

Clip

Beware of the verb “to clip” as well. You can clip papers by fastening them together with a paperclip, or clip a hedge by removing its branches with shears.

8 / 21

Shutterstock (2)

Sanction

While a government can ‘sanction’ or allow an event to happen, it can also ‘sanction’ or impose a ban on another country.

9 / 21

Shutterstock (2)

Screen

If what you mean is ‘to hide’—as in, ‘a screen of fog’—then using the verb “screen” would be correct. But it’s also correct to use this term in the phrase ‘to screen a movie,’ which would mean ‘to show.’

10 / 21

Shutterstock (2)

Weather

Weather can mean ‘to withstand or endure,’ as in ‘weather a storm,” but also ‘worn down,’ as in ‘the rock is weathered.’

11 / 21

Shutterstock (2)

Bolt

Are you bolting from the car, or are you bolting the door? The distinction is important: The first usage means ‘to separate by running away,’ and the second means ‘to hold together’ (such as with a bolt).

12 / 21

Shutterstock (2)

Consult

Consulting can mean both to give advice and to get advice. While most of us would consult a dictionary or doctor for instructions, a consultant could issue that guidance.

13 / 21

Shutterstock (2)

Custom

A custom is a common practice or tradition shared by many people. But it can also refer to one unique item, such as a custom-made blouse.

14 / 21

Shutterstock (2)

Dust

When used as a verb rather than a noun, the word “dust” has two opposite meanings: To sprinkle a fine powder over something, or to clean that object by brushing away the dust, instead.

15 / 21

Shutterstock (2)

Finished

Finished can mean either completed or destroyed, such as in the sentence, “I am finished.” These 10 words mean very different things in England and America, too.

16 / 21

Shutterstock (2)

Out

Used in a phrase like “the stars are out,” the term means the stars are visible. But saying “the lights are out” would mean they are not working, or invisible.

17 / 21

Shutterstock (2)

Off

This is another tricky word to watch out for. “Off” can mean both ‘not functioning,’ as well as ‘functioning,’ depending on how it’s used. Try this brain-busting sentence: You should turn off the alarm that is going off.

18 / 21

Shutterstock (2)

Overlook

Overlook can mean to monitor or supervise, but it can also mean to neglect or fail to notice. For example, a group of lawyers would not want to overlook an important detail when they overlook the proposed contract.

19 / 21

Shutterstock (2)

Left

Asking “Who’s left?” is a complicated question. It could either mean who is remaining or who has departed. People also say these 15 words aren’t words—but they are.

20 / 21

Shutterstock (2)

Resign

While “resign” is considered a contronym in writing, it doesn’t work if you say the word out loud. “Resign,” which means ‘to quit,’ is spelled the same as “resign,” which means ‘to sign up again.’ The only catch? The words have two different pronunciations.

21 / 21

Shutterstock (2)

Toss out

In a sentence like “I will toss out the idea,” toss out can mean either ‘to suggest’ or ‘to dispose of.’ By the way, you’re probably using these 70 words and phrases all wrong, too.

Originally Published: March 26, 2019

Brooke Nelson

Brooke Nelson is a tech and consumer products writer covering the latest in digital trends, product reviews, security and privacy, and other news and features for RD.com.