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116

What are some words where the "opposite" one means the same thing? (sopuli.xyz)

submitted 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) by sbeak@sopuli.xyz to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world

104 comments fedilink hide all child comments

For example, "flammable" and "inflammable" both describe an object that can easily catch on fire. I can also think of "ceased" and "deceased", both of which can mean someone or something has been brought to an end.

edit: Some people are including words that can also mean its opposite (like sanction or table), those are cool too! The more weird words, the better!

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[–] vividspecter@aussie.zone 8 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

Slightly different, but single words meaning multiple conflicting things seem to come to mind more readily:

Drop meaning both to abandon or release a product
Table meaning both put something aside or putting up for discussion
Literally meaning both literal and figurative

[–] Brokkr@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Within a region, does table ever mean both of those?

In the US, it means to set aside or ignore it, but never means to continue the discussion. In the UK it means to discuss it, does it ever mean to also set it aside?

[–] vividspecter@aussie.zone 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I think there's some bleed between different countries, given increasing global connectivity. I've heard both definitions in Australia which makes sense as we are influenced by both countries but I suspect the British version is more common.

[–] mech@feddit.org 2 points 1 day ago

Similar to chips meaning both crisps and French fries.