Alternative form of autoantonym. [(rare) A word that has two opposing meanings.]
Used in a Sentence
auto-antonym
Definition, parts of speech, synonyms, and sentence examples for auto-antonym.
Editorial note
This dictionary[1] (second result on google) has definition one meaning the opposite of definition two, thus the word is an auto-antonym.
Examples16
Definitions1
Parts of speech1
Quick take
Alternative form of autoantonym. [(rare) A word that has two opposing meanings.]
Meaning at a glance
The clearest senses and uses of auto-antonym gathered in one view.
Definitions
Core meanings and parts of speech for auto-antonym.
noun
Alternative form of autoantonym. [(rare) A word that has two opposing meanings.]
Example sentences
This dictionary[1] (second result on google) has definition one meaning the opposite of definition two, thus the word is an auto-antonym.
Based on context, I'm assuming the former, but patronizing is a auto-antonym, so it should be clarified [2].
Literally is literally an auto-antonym used to emphasise a figurative expression.
Ironic that it’s a bit of an auto-antonym (auto-antoidiom?), it’s ceremonious when they want you to go away quietly and it’s unceremonious when they publicly kick your ass to the curb so hard you’ve got boot marks for a week.
It's even more of that thing you said than how you said it," and less as an auto-antonym.
As a recovering language curmudgeon, it literally kills me that "literally" is now an auto-antonym too [1].
Or that "riiiiiight" is an auto-antonym because it actually means "wrong".
I avoid the word "sanction" whenever I can because it's an auto-antonym and just too confusing.
"Now" seems an odd word choice considering it's been an auto-antonym since at least the days of Mark Twain.
It's missing my favorite auto-antonym phrase "off the menu".
> words or phrases taking on the opposite meaning of their literal definition The word you're looking for is "auto-antonym".
This same thing happened with "literally" being English's first "auto-antonym" -- it wasn't really, it was just a slightly different form of sarcasm.
Quote examples
It's even more of that thing you said than how you said it," and less as an auto-antonym.
As a recovering language curmudgeon, it literally kills me that "literally" is now an auto-antonym too [1].
Or that "riiiiiight" is an auto-antonym because it actually means "wrong".
I avoid the word "sanction" whenever I can because it's an auto-antonym and just too confusing.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers drawn from the clearest meanings and examples for this word.
How do you use auto-antonym in a sentence?
This dictionary[1] (second result on google) has definition one meaning the opposite of definition two, thus the word is an auto-antonym.
What does auto-antonym mean?
Alternative form of autoantonym. [(rare) A word that has two opposing meanings.]
What part of speech is auto-antonym?
auto-antonym is commonly used as noun.