Most are familiar with the words “antonym” and “synonym,” but what is a “contranym?” The word “contranym” was new to me, and I had a feeling that it must be related to “antonym.” In a way, it is, but not in the sense of a thought. (It can also be spelled contronym.)
A contranym is a word that has at least two meanings, but they are often the opposite of each other. Examples of contranyms would be “bolt,” which means to secure something or to run from something. Or “left,” which can mean departed or how much remains. Or “bound,” meaning tied up or leaving for a destination.
Our challenge is to make sentences displaying contranyms with both meanings.
“After the accident, Tom was bound to a wheelchair, but his spirit was ready to bound toward new destinations.”
“Sally dusted the shelves to remove the dust, then dusted the cake with powdered sugar.”
“Even though the current weather was calm, the river current was strong, keeping the boats stationary.”
Unequivocably is not a word. It is a misspelling or mispronunciation of the word unequivocally. It is one of those misspellings that, when heard, might sound right, or your mind might interpret it as unequivocal. Unequivocal or unequivocally means something is indisputable, and often, indisputable is a better word for most purposes.
“Jane’s support for the project was unequivocal; there was no doubt she fully endorsed it.”
“Jack’s unequivocal testimony made it clear that he had witnessed the event firsthand.”
“Thomas Jefferson’s diaries provided unequivocal evidence of his interest in horticulture.”
Combining this concept and word in a single sentence is challenging. It took me several days and numerous attempts to find just a few. Cheating just a little, I made the contranym sentence first and then inserted unequivocal as an afterthought for emphasis.
“Tony’s unequivocal decision to bolt the door shut gave him security, but when a loud noise ensued, he bolted from the room.”
“John’s unequivocal concerns led him to bolt the windows shut before the storm, but when the rain and wind started, he bolted out the back door.”
“Nancy’s unequivocal decision to leave the company meant she left behind a legacy, but when she left for good, nothing of her good work remained.”
