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
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
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