Chilling v chilling

[PotteringPondering]

Frustrating when a word has two meanings that are almost opposites.

The other day I saw a picture on social media of a dog lying down. The caption on it was one word: 'chilling'.

My immediate thought was: 'Yes, it's an ugly dog that it looks as if it could turn violent if provoked, but I wouldn't go so far as to describe the scene as horrifying or frightening.'

Then the penny dropped.

🤦🏻‍♀️

Sick v sick

But I think one is slang? Same for sick vs sick

Fit v fit

Cleave v cleave
trim v trim

Wicked v wicked

Sanction vs sanction

Lots of words are homographs. Key to this is context and comprehension.

Draw the curtains could be either open or close. It just means “pull”.

Gay v gay

‘Cleave’ is an example of a contronym. Love this kind of thing.

Sanction. Another contronym that baffles me.