autoantonym
Word meaning opposite
An autoantonym is a word that can mean its own opposite.
Cleave means both to split apart and to cling together.
Sanction means both to permit and to penalize.
Dust means both to remove particles dust the furniture and to apply them dust the cake with sugar.
Also called a contronym or Janus word.
Split or adhere
- sanctionApproval or punitive measure
- dustFine settled particles
- seedEmbryonic plant capsule
- trimRemove unwanted edges
clip · fast · left · oversight · weather · screen · buckle · bound
Word meaning its opposite
- contranymWord meaning its opposite
- polysemyWord having related meanings
- homographShared spelling, separate meanings
- homophoneIdentically pronounced, differently spelled word
polysemous · lexeme · morpheme · denotation · lexicon · etymology · semantics · semiotics
Opposing claims, incompatible together
- self-contradictoryContaining mutual negation
- oxymoronSelf-contradicting phrase device
- dichotomyDivision into contrasting parts
- dualityTwofold nature
enigma · incongruity · irony · juxtaposition · inversion · reversal · flipside · inverse
Uncertain in meaning
- polysemousHaving multiple meanings
- multivalentHaving multiple values or meanings
- vagueUnclear, ill-defined
- unclearNot easily understood
cryptic · obscure · indeterminate · interpretation · misreading · confusion · miscommunication · wordplay
cleave
Split or adhere
trim · clip · fast · left · oversight · weather · screen · buckle · bound · bolt
contronym
Word meaning its opposite
- contranymWord meaning its opposite
- polysemyWord having related meanings
- homographShared spelling, separate meanings
homophone · polysemous · lexeme · morpheme · denotation · lexicon · etymology · semantics · semiotics · lexicography
contradiction
Opposing claims, incompatible together
- self-contradictoryContaining mutual negation
- oxymoronSelf-contradicting phrase device
- dichotomyDivision into contrasting parts
duality · enigma · incongruity · irony · juxtaposition · inversion · reversal · flipside · inverse · contrary
equivocal
Uncertain in meaning
- polysemousHaving multiple meanings
- multivalentHaving multiple values or meanings
- vagueUnclear, ill-defined
unclear · cryptic · obscure · indeterminate · interpretation · misreading · confusion · miscommunication · wordplay · pun
autoantonymsynonym
Word meaning the same
synonymy · homograph · near-synonym · homonym
auto, antonym, antonyms, antonymous, antonymy, synonym, synonyms, synonymous, synonymy