Autoantonyms
Autoantonyms are words that are the opposite of themselves. Try using these pairs of opposites in a sentence. Also try including any other forms of the same word, that is, dust can also be a noun.
| aught noun |
• anything • nothing |
| bolt verb |
• to secure in place • to dash away suddenly |
| bound adj./verb |
• restrained (e.g. by rope) • to spring; leap |
| cleave verb |
• to adhere; stick together • to cut apart; divide |
| clip verb |
• to fasten together; hold tightly • to cut apart; cut off (e.g. with shears) |
| custom adjective |
• usual; normal • special; unique |
| dust verb |
• to remove fine particles from (e.g. when cleaning) • to sprinkle fine particles onto |
| fast adverb |
• fixed firmly in place • moving quickly; speedy |
| fine adjective |
• just meets minimum standards; satisfactory • considerably better than average; excellent |
| handicap noun/verb |
• advantage (e.g. in sport) • disadvantage; disability |
| left verb |
• departed from • remaining |
| model noun |
• archetype; example • copy; replica |
| overlook verb |
• to examine; watch over • to fail to notice; miss |
| puzzle verb |
• to pose a problem • to solve a problem |
| screen verb |
• to view; show • to conceal; shield |
| splice verb |
• to join together • to cut in two |
| strike verb |
• to miss (e.g. in baseball) • to hit; collide with |
| trim verb |
• to cut pieces off (e.g. fingernails) • to add to; ornament |
| weather verb |
• to withstand; stand up to • to wear away |
| wind up verb |
• to start; prepare • to end; conclude |
There is more information about Autoantonyms as well as a longer list at Fun With Words.
