Words that sounds as if they mean the opposite

[CormoranStrike]

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?

Valuable and invaluable meaning the same thing is confusing!!

extraordinary. it is basically extra ordinary - like more ordinary than usual.

@ThanksMateThanksMate

"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!!

I think of sanguine as mean prosaic, pragmatic that things are kind of stuck as they are - so, sticky blood!

Another one for condone

To be on your uppers sounds like it's a positive thing.

Lucked out. I think it means ‘out of luck’.

Alight - it means get off (a train or bus) but it should mean ‘get on’

This is bollocks = this is bad
This is the dog’s bollocks = this is good

Hospitable always sounds as though it should mean the opposite.

Noisome....means smelly. Should mean a noisy nuisance.

Ableism to me sounds like able bodied people are being discriminated against.
I do understand what it means though lol

I only read the title of the thread, and my very first thought was bucolic!

@Raahh

I only read the title of the thread, and my very first thought was bucolic!

Word twins!

Sartorial.

Sounds like something to do with comedy/humour.

A bit political here but

Leave to remain sounds like you ought to leave (said as someone who has said leave to remain)

Cormoran it's such a horrible sounding word, for what it is supposed to describe!

Enervating. Sounds like it energises but it is the complete opposite.

@CormoranStrike

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

Blooming heck OP, I'm so glad you mentioned this. I have to really think what "lucked out" means, are you out of luck or lucky? It's such a stupid phrase! My DH says no it's not, everyone knows it means being lucky. And then I heard an expert in something or other on the radio saying he lucked out when he lost out on a good deal. So he thought it meant bad luck, too. I'll shut up now

Waves to @Raahh in a bucolic way...

Condone - sounds too much like condemn.
Enervate - sounds too much like energise.
Sanction - never sure if it means to condone or condemn. Like "sanction a cheque* means it's approved but" sanction a benefit" means it's not approved.

Opaque - sounds to me like it's something see through.

Antenatal - I don’t know why but I always think “ante” means after!
“You killed it” meaning wow you did really well. To me it means the opposite!

Bucolic sounds too much like "colic" to describe something pleasant.

I always thought spendthrift meant tight. I know now!

It’s like thrifty.

TDogs