Can A Word Be Its Own Opposite? : Doreen Lobo

Yes. 

They are called *Contronyms* —words that are their own antonyms, depending on usage.

Here are a few examples

"Dust" :
can mean ‘to add fine particles’ or ‘to remove fine particles’.

"Left" :
can mean both
‘remaining’ and ‘departed’.

"Off" :
can mean both ‘activated’ and ‘deactivated’.
Eg:- “Set off” - Activated
“ Switch off - Deactivated

"Oversight" :
means both ‘watchful care’ and ‘an inadvertent error’.

"Screen" :
can mean both ‘to show’ and ‘to hide’.

"Sanction"
can mean both ‘a penalty for disobeying a law’ and ‘official permission or approval for an action.

That's Amazing English!
(To all English- Lovers)

Doreen Lobo
Sent from my iPhone