Words That Are Their Own Opposite
1 / 15Some English words can mean the exact opposite of themselves! Test your knowledge of these fascinating auto-antonyms and contronyms.
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The word 'dust' can mean to add fine particles OR to remove them. Which usage means 'remove'?
About Words That Are Their Own Opposite
Some English words can mean the exact opposite of themselves! Test your knowledge of these fascinating auto-antonyms and contronyms. Words That Are Their Own Opposite packs 15 multiple-choice questions aimed at mixed difficulty into a relaxed session of roughly 7 minutes — no sign-up, no timer pressure. An explanation appears after every answer, and finishing once a day keeps your streak alive.
A few sample questions
1. The word 'dust' can mean to add fine particles OR to remove them. Which usage means 'remove'?
Answer: Dust the furniture
2. The word 'sanction' can mean both 'to permit' AND what?
Answer: To penalize or restrict
3. What is the technical term for a word that has two opposite meanings?
Answer: Contronym (or auto-antonym)
4. The word 'cleave' can mean 'to split apart' OR what opposite meaning?
Answer: To cling together
5. When you say 'the alarm went off', the alarm actually did what?
Answer: Turned on
Frequently asked questions
Can I print Words That Are Their Own Opposite?
Yes — use the Print button at the top of the page for a clean question sheet, or "Print with Answers" to make an answer key. Printed sheets work well for group play at home, in a classroom, or at a senior center.
Will I lose my progress if I close the page?
Your overall progress — XP, streaks, and badges — is saved in your browser automatically. A quiz that's underway restarts if you leave mid-game, but at about 7 minutes, Words That Are Their Own Opposite fits comfortably in one sitting.
How many questions are in Words That Are Their Own Opposite?
Words That Are Their Own Opposite has 15 multiple-choice questions. Each one has four answer options and an explanation that appears after you answer, so you learn something even when you miss.
Is Words That Are Their Own Opposite free to play?
Yes. The entire SeniorBrainGames catalog — including Words That Are Their Own Opposite — is free, with no sign-up required, no time limits, and no ads on top of the game. It also works offline once the page has loaded once.
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