Tuesday, January 31, 2006

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.

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