A word which is defined as both itself and the opposite of itself.
E.G
“Because of their oversight, Russia was
sanctioned by NATO”
Can mean that Russia was given approval (sanctioned) by NATO because of their vigilance (oversight)
Or that Russia was punished (sanctioned) by NATO because they
egregiously overlooked
something (oversight)
Words that can perform or imply two directly
contradictory actions are called contronyms
1. I clipped (attached) on a bow tie after I got my hair clipped (detached, cut off) at
the barber shop
2. The House Oversight Committee’s role is to perform oversight (strenuous watchdog duties) by ensuring that no oversights (mistakes, errors) are made in the
government3. I screened (blocked) the light from my eyes so I could see the movie that was being screened (shown)
4. I was the latest to rent (buy) the apartment that my landlord had been renting (selling, leasing) for five years now