117
submitted 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) by sbeak@sopuli.xyz to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world

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!

top 50 comments
sorted by: hot top new old
[-] scoste@discuss.tchncs.de 55 points 6 days ago

Up and down

“Are you up for that?” “Yeah, I’m down”

"Are you down for that?" "Yeah, I'm up"

[-] insomniac_lemon@lemmy.cafe 48 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

Dust. Dust the shelf, dust the loaf with flour.

Well, this is the opposite thing (same word meaning opposite) but if you ask me it's the same.

EDIT: For some that fit better:

  • thaw / unthaw
  • terminate / exterminate
  • valuable / invaluable
  • caregiver / caretaker
[-] CubitOom@infosec.pub 15 points 6 days ago

I think valuable / invaluable actually have different meanings. Something which is invaluable, is so important a value should not be assigned.

[-] Tollana1234567@lemmy.today 7 points 6 days ago

invaluable would be equivalent to priceless.

load more comments (1 replies)
load more comments (1 replies)
[-] Beacon@fedia.io 13 points 6 days ago

That's called a contronym, which (as you said) is different than what OP is looking for

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contronym

[-] Bonifratz@piefed.zip 9 points 6 days ago

Caregiver/caretaker is a fun one I had never considered.

[-] fireweed@lemmy.world 33 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

Two examples where erroneous usage has resulted in this paradox:

  • Regardless and irregardless

  • "I couldn't care less" and "I could care less"

I don't think either were ever said by competently literate people (wtf is "irregardless"? And do they mean they could "care less" about a subject or do they mean the opposite but don't understand negation?) so idk if this fits what OP was saying entirely. They're just obvious mistakes that have been normalized as people got dumber, right?

[-] TORFdot0@lemmy.world 9 points 6 days ago

Irregardless means “without a lack of regard”. Ergo vis-à-vis if you say irregardless you are actually fully regarded

load more comments (1 replies)
load more comments (2 replies)
load more comments (12 replies)
[-] inb4_FoundTheVegan@lemmy.world 31 points 6 days ago

"flammable" and "inflammable" both describe an object that can easily catch on fire.

WHAT A COUNTRY!

[-] MajorMajormajormajor@lemmy.ca 15 points 6 days ago

Hi Dr.Nick!

[-] UnspecificGravity@piefed.social 26 points 6 days ago

Literally means either literally or figuratively, and context doesn't really help.

[-] 1D10@lemmy.world 17 points 6 days ago

Literally literally means figuratively, or literally, however figuratively literally only means figuratively.

load more comments (2 replies)
[-] corsicanguppy@lemmy.ca 4 points 6 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago)

Really, it's a way to spot a bad dictionary.

load more comments (2 replies)
[-] ignirtoq@feddit.online 22 points 6 days ago

To bone and to debone both mean to remove bones from something, typically food.

[-] pruwybn@discuss.tchncs.de 7 points 6 days ago

Similarly, peel and unpeel.

[-] Okokimup@lemmy.world 5 points 6 days ago

Hulled means either the hull is still present or has been removed.

[-] Beacon@fedia.io 4 points 5 days ago

Unpitted DO have pits, and pitted have NO pits.

Sounds so backwards. The problem is they're referring to the verb of the word "pit", meaning "removing the pit". So "unpitted" means "not removing the pit". So dumb.

load more comments (2 replies)
[-] Klear@quokk.au 18 points 6 days ago

This is kinda the opposite to what you are asking: awesome and awful used to mean the same thing IIRC, both being something filling you with awe. Later the meanings split between positive and negative.

Same with terrible and terrific.

[-] mimavox@piefed.social 6 points 6 days ago

As a non-native English speaker, I always have to think a second extra about "terrific", about it being negative or positive. Probably because it sound similar to "terrible".

[-] Okokimup@lemmy.world 4 points 6 days ago

Or as an analog: horror - terror, horrific - terrific.

load more comments (1 replies)
[-] Korhaka@sopuli.xyz 6 points 6 days ago

I often thought awful was an odd word. Surely awful = full of awe, but it is frequently used to describe things that have little to no awe.

Also I have now said the word awe too much and it looks strange.

load more comments (1 replies)
[-] cropsec@lemmy.dbzer0.com 19 points 6 days ago
load more comments (3 replies)
[-] chunes@lemmy.world 16 points 6 days ago

Near miss and near hit both mean a close call.

load more comments (1 replies)
[-] jtrek@startrek.website 14 points 6 days ago

Sanction can mean a punishment or an authorization.

Came up in a DND game where a devil's contract said the players crossing the region would be sanctioned, or something like that. Players thought it meant they had permission, fine print said they would be punished.

[-] Sualtam@lemmus.org 9 points 6 days ago

It means authorized decision. The decision can be a punishment.

[-] chunes@lemmy.world 14 points 6 days ago

One that sorta works:

it's all uphill / downhill from here -> it's only going to get worse

load more comments (1 replies)
[-] ThatGuy46475@lemmy.world 13 points 6 days ago

One way mirror and two way mirror

load more comments (3 replies)
[-] BuboScandiacus@mander.xyz 8 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

In French there is personne (someone) and personne (no one), plus (more) and plus (no more)

[-] Pappabosley@lemmy.world 5 points 5 days ago
[-] unmagical@lemmy.ml 10 points 6 days ago

Antiautonym is what you're looking for.

[-] clag@lemmy.dbzer0.com 5 points 5 days ago

For Australians, yeah, yeah nah, yeah yeah nah, nah, nah yeah nah, nah nah yeah, all have subtly different positive and/or negative meanings, often dependent on the situation.

Garnish can either be an enhancing addition such as in a dish, or to take something away such as garnishing wages.

You can lease/rent something to a tenant... Or you can lease/rent something from someone.

The informal definition of "literally" is an exaggeration of something that is not literally true. Inn other words, figuratively.

load more comments (6 replies)
[-] Grail@multiverse.soulism.net 8 points 6 days ago

The undead are dead.

[-] EndlessNightmare@reddthat.com 7 points 6 days ago

Not the original question you asked, but fits in with your edit:

Priceless and worthless are opposites

[-] vividspecter@aussie.zone 8 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

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
load more comments (3 replies)
[-] EndOfLine@lemmy.world 8 points 6 days ago
load more comments (1 replies)
[-] ryathal@sh.itjust.works 3 points 5 days ago

Ravel and unravel can both mean to take apart something that was knitted or woven.

[-] TropicalDingdong@lemmy.world 6 points 6 days ago

I literally can't believe this thread.

[-] FinjaminPoach@lemmy.world 5 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)
  • Restless and Restful.

  • mark and demarcate. I love this one.

  • also, limit and delimit

  • a bit of a stretch but i can imagine someone saying "You're a natural" and "you're a freak" to express someone being abnormally talented at something on their first try.

"You're a natural at rock climbing. You're a rock climbing freak. A freak at rock climbing."

[-] FinjaminPoach@lemmy.world 5 points 6 days ago

While checking words that might work here i was reminded of this annoying trio:

  • Allude
  • Elude
  • Illude

They mean, respectively:

  • to suggest something
  • to escape or avoid something or someone
  • to lie or deceive
load more comments (1 replies)
[-] iatenine@piefed.social 5 points 6 days ago

They're called "contranyms". Easy to find examples once you know that

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contronym

[-] Beacon@fedia.io 10 points 6 days ago

No that's different. A contronym is where the same single word has two opposing meaning. OP is asking for two separate words that sounds like they should be opposites but actually have the same meaning, like flammable and inflammable which both mean "can catch on fire".

load more comments
view more: next ›
this post was submitted on 28 Apr 2026
117 points (97.6% liked)

Ask Lemmy

39398 readers
1829 users here now

A Fediverse community for open-ended, thought provoking questions


Rules: (interactive)


1) Be nice and; have funDoxxing, trolling, sealioning, racism, toxicity and dog-whistling are not welcomed in AskLemmy. Remember what your mother said: if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. In addition, the site-wide Lemmy.world terms of service also apply here. Please familiarize yourself with them


2) All posts must end with a '?'This is sort of like Jeopardy. Please phrase all post titles in the form of a proper question ending with ?


3) No spamPlease do not flood the community with nonsense. Actual suspected spammers will be banned on site. No astroturfing.


4) NSFW is okay, within reasonJust remember to tag posts with either a content warning or a [NSFW] tag. Overtly sexual posts are not allowed, please direct them to either !asklemmyafterdark@lemmy.world or !asklemmynsfw@lemmynsfw.com. NSFW comments should be restricted to posts tagged [NSFW].


5) This is not a support community.
It is not a place for 'how do I?', type questions. If you have any questions regarding the site itself or would like to report a community, please direct them to Lemmy.world Support or email info@lemmy.world. For other questions check our partnered communities list, or use the search function.


6) No US Politics.
Please don't post about current US Politics. If you need to do this, try !politicaldiscussion@lemmy.world or !askusa@discuss.online


Reminder: The terms of service apply here too.

Partnered Communities:

Tech Support

No Stupid Questions

You Should Know

Reddit

Jokes

Ask Ouija


Logo design credit goes to: tubbadu


founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS