Contronyms Quiz

Name:

Date:

Instructions: Words that are their own opposites — can you figure out the meanings?

1.
The word 'dust' is a contronym. What are its two opposite meanings?
A
To dry / To wet
B
To remove fine particles / To add fine particles
C
To clean / To dirty
D
To sweep / To mop
2.
The word 'left' is a contronym. How can it have opposite meanings?
A
Departed / Remaining
B
Correct / Wrong
C
A direction / A political view
D
Weak / Strong
3.
How is 'off' a contronym?
A
Far away / Close by
B
Correct / Incorrect
C
Old / New
D
The alarm went off (activated) / Turn the alarm off (deactivated)
4.
The word 'fast' is a contronym. What are its opposite meanings?
A
Moving quickly / Stuck firmly in place
B
Quick / Slow
C
Eating / Not eating
D
Bright / Dark
5.
How is the word 'clip' a contronym?
A
To cut apart / To fasten together
B
To open / To close
C
To run / To walk
D
To speak / To be silent
6.
The word 'sanction' is a contronym. What are its two opposite meanings?
A
To build / To destroy
B
To begin / To end
C
To approve / To penalize
D
To bless / To curse
7.
How is the word 'overlook' a contronym?
A
To approve / To disapprove
B
To look up / To look down
C
To oversee / To undermine
D
To see from above / To fail to notice
8.
The word 'bolt' is a contronym. What are its opposite meanings?
A
To tighten / To loosen
B
To heat / To cool
C
To build / To demolish
D
To secure in place / To flee suddenly
9.
How is the word 'screen' a contronym?
A
To show / To hide
B
To record / To erase
C
To brighten / To darken
D
To enlarge / To shrink
10.
The word 'weather' is a contronym. What are its opposite meanings?
A
To endure / To wear away
B
Sunny / Rainy
C
Hot / Cold
D
Calm / Stormy
11.
How is the word 'buckle' a contronym?
A
To fasten securely / To collapse or give way
B
To agree / To disagree
C
To speak loudly / To whisper
D
To ride / To walk
12.
The word 'cleave' is a contronym. What are its two opposite meanings?
A
To heat / To freeze
B
To praise / To criticize
C
To split apart / To cling to
D
To build / To destroy
13.
How is the word 'garnish' a contronym?
A
To add to (decorate food) / To take away from (garnish wages)
B
To season / To leave bland
C
To serve / To clear away
D
To cook / To serve raw
14.
The word 'rent' is a contronym. What are its opposite meanings?
A
To build / To tear down
B
To buy / To sell
C
To save / To spend
D
To pay to use something / To receive payment for its use
15.
How is the word 'trim' a contronym?
A
To grow / To shrink
B
To open / To close
C
To fill / To empty
D
To cut away / To add decoration to

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