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Words That Are Their Own Opposite

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Instructions: Some English words can mean the exact opposite of themselves! Test your knowledge of these fascinating auto-antonyms and contronyms.

  1. 1.

    The word 'dust' can mean to add fine particles OR to remove them. Which usage means 'remove'?

    A
    Dust the cake with sugar
    B
    Dust the furniture
    C
    Dust the crops
    D
    Dust the plants
  2. 2.

    The word 'sanction' can mean both 'to permit' AND what?

    A
    To build
    B
    To discuss
    C
    To penalize or restrict
    D
    To celebrate
  3. 3.

    What is the technical term for a word that has two opposite meanings?

    A
    Palindrome
    B
    Contronym (or auto-antonym)
    C
    Homophone
    D
    Synonym
  4. 4.

    The word 'cleave' can mean 'to split apart' OR what opposite meaning?

    A
    To cling together
    B
    To destroy
    C
    To clean
    D
    To separate slowly
  5. 5.

    When you say 'the alarm went off', the alarm actually did what?

    A
    Turned on
    B
    Turned off
    C
    Was silent
    D
    Broke down
  6. 6.

    'Oversight' can mean careful supervision, but it can also mean what?

    A
    A supervisor
    B
    A bird's-eye view
    C
    Looking down from above
    D
    An error due to failure to notice something
  7. 7.

    The word 'buckle' can mean 'to fasten together' OR what?

    A
    To straighten
    B
    To strengthen
    C
    To polish
    D
    To collapse or give way
  8. 8.

    'Left' can mean 'remaining' as in 'what's left', but it can also mean what?

    A
    Kept behind
    B
    Stored
    C
    The right side
    D
    Went away or departed
  9. 9.

    The word 'clip' can mean 'to attach' OR 'to cut off'. Which sentence uses 'clip' to mean attach?

    A
    Clip the badge to your shirt
    B
    Clip the coupon from the newspaper
    C
    Clip your nails
    D
    Clip the hedge
  10. 10.

    The word 'screen' can mean 'to show' (as in a movie) OR what opposite?

    A
    To project
    B
    To magnify
    C
    To hide or protect from view
    D
    To light up
  11. 11.

    'Weather' can mean 'to endure' OR what?

    A
    To forecast
    B
    To erode or wear away
    C
    To improve
    D
    To grow stronger
  12. 12.

    The word 'strike' can mean 'to hit' but in baseball it means what?

    A
    A home run
    B
    A perfect hit
    C
    A foul ball
    D
    A miss
  13. 13.

    'Seed' can mean 'to plant seeds' OR what opposite meaning?

    A
    To remove seeds
    B
    To grow
    C
    To water
    D
    To harvest
  14. 14.

    The word 'bolt' can mean 'to secure in place' OR what?

    A
    To run away suddenly
    B
    To lock up
    C
    To slow down
    D
    To sit still
  15. 15.

    'Garnish' can mean 'to decorate food' but in legal terms it means what?

    A
    To present evidence
    B
    To take money from someone's wages
    C
    To serve food in court
    D
    To add to someone's wages

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