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Words that sounds as if they mean the opposite

126 replies

CormoranStrike · 23/07/2021 10:16

Sometimes words are just perfect - purring is exactly right for a cat, for example.

But some are so wrong. bucolic, meaning a beautiful countryside, sounds to me like something sickly and ill.

Any others?

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Procrastatron · 23/07/2021 10:17

Truncated because Trunks are long

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BonesJones · 23/07/2021 10:18

I don't know why but 'haste' to me sounds like it means going slow!

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Shapesorted · 23/07/2021 10:19

Condone. I don't know why but it just sounds negative, maybe too close to condemn.

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CarpeVitam · 23/07/2021 10:24

Raze. As in raze to the ground.

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TheAwfuITruth · 23/07/2021 10:26

Spendthrift.

Should mean tightarse.

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kittenkipping · 23/07/2021 10:27

Nonplussed

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FelicityBeedle · 23/07/2021 10:29

Salubrious, it should mean dodgy and slimy and horrible

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kittenkipping · 23/07/2021 10:29

Sorry didn't explain- but to me, nonplussed sounds ambivalent, completely not fazed- certainly doesn't look like it means completely surprised and unsure of how to react Confused

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BringMeTea · 23/07/2021 10:31

Ennervated.

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SquishySquirmy · 23/07/2021 10:32

Inflammable. (I know that's not exactly what you were after, but it is a misleading word!)

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ChrissyPlummer · 23/07/2021 10:33

Inflammable. Sounds like it should mean it’s fire-proof. Never understood it.

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Aposterhasnoname · 23/07/2021 10:34

Inflammable, it should mean the opposite of flammable.

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Aposterhasnoname · 23/07/2021 10:34

Heckmondwike a cross post Grin

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SometimesRavenSometimesParrot · 23/07/2021 10:34

Concur!

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Aposterhasnoname · 23/07/2021 10:34

Heck Ffs

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sofato5miles · 23/07/2021 10:34

Sublime

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ChrissyPlummer · 23/07/2021 10:34

Glad I’m not the only one Grin

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Malin52 · 23/07/2021 10:34

Veto. I can never remember if it means to reject or confirm but to me it sounds like it's confirm so I use it that way!

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Cattenberg · 23/07/2021 10:37

No brainer, as in, “option B is a no brainer”. So, it would be the preferred option of someone with no brain? Confused

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NoHunGosh · 23/07/2021 10:37

Another vote for 'spendthrift'. My brain struggles to accept it.

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CheesePleaseLoueese · 23/07/2021 10:39

@TheAwfuITruth

Spendthrift.

Should mean tightarse.

I thought of spendthrift, too.
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Galassia · 23/07/2021 10:41
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Galassia · 23/07/2021 10:42

Sorry. Wrong thread.

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ThanksMateThanksMate · 23/07/2021 10:42

"Sanguine"
It's a positive adjective, no? I think it's used to compliment someone's adaptable and easy-going, easy-flowing nature. (I'm not sure)
....beacuse I can't see past slimy, warm blood!!

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CormoranStrike · 23/07/2021 10:44

And lucked out - I always think it means your luck has run out, but it actually means you have been really lucky.

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