contronym

noun

con·tro·nym ˈkän-trə-ˌnim

plural contronyms

: a word having two meanings that contradict each other

Word History

Etymology

contr(a)- + -onym

First Known Use

1962, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of contronym was in 1962

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Contronym.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contronym. Accessed 18 Nov. 2025.

Copy Citation

Last Updated: 4 Nov 2025 - Entry added

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