---
title: Contronyms
date: "2021-01-23T04:06:02Z"
lastmod: "2021-01-23T04:06:05Z"
categories:
  - links
wp_id: 3074
description: "Contronyms are delightfully unstable words whose opposite meanings coexist in a single term, making them a compact source of linguistic wonder."
keywords: ["contronyms", "language", "wordplay", "English", "meanings", "curiosity"]
---

Contronyms are words that have two meanings that are the opposite of each other.

**Sanction**, for example, may mean restricting something (e.g. sanction against imports) or approving something (e.g. sanctioning imports).

**Scan** may mean to look at cursorily (e.g. scan a document) or look at in detail (e.g. scan an X-Ray)

**Fine** may mean excellent (e.g. fine wine) or average (e.g. the wine's fine).

I enjoyed this list of [75 contronyms](https://www.dailywritingtips.com/75-contronyms-words-with-contradictory-meanings/).