Two words are opposites if they have opposite meanings (such as HOT and COLD). Two words are secondary opposites if they can go before two regular opposites to form a familiar expression. Thus, RED ...

Here’s an ambiguous sentence for you: “Because of the agency’s oversight, the corporation’s behavior was sanctioned.” Does that mean, “Because the agency oversaw the company’s behavior, they imposed a ...

Has anyone ever wished you a sick time, or said you make a mean revision timetable? You probably already know they weren’t being rude, but you may not know they were using a contronym. Contronyms are ...

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They’re called “contronyms” or, less elegantly, “auto-antonyms.” They’re words that are their own antonyms—that mean one thing and a polar-opposite thing at the same time—and they include terms like ...