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Autoantonym

Concept
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A word that inherently contains opposite or contradictory meanings (e.g., “cleave” meaning both to split and to cling).

Detailed Definition
An autoantonym is a word that carries two opposite meanings depending on context (e.g., “cleave” meaning both to split apart and to cling together); in poetry, such words can generate rich ambiguity, irony, or paradox, inviting layered interpretations within a single lexical unit.
Example
Example in poetry:
“Cleave” (to split or to cling) exemplifies autoantonym in poetic paradox; In Plath’s “Daddy,” “I do, I do” shifts from vow to curse; Autoantonyms reveal language’s inherent instability and doubleness; Shakespeare uses them for dramatic irony (“sanction” as permit or penalty); This device thrives in confessional and metaphysical poetry.
Additional Notes
Word that is its own opposite (e.g., "cleave" means join or split). Also called contronym or Janus word. Creates ambiguity or double meaning. Useful for wordplay and paradoxical expressions. Use deliberately for effect.
Also Known As
Contronym Janus word
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