So we know what synonyms and antonyms are – but have you ever heard of a contranym? This term describes a word that is simultaneously a synonym and antonym. Confused? Think of the word ‘bolt’ – depending on the context it could mean both ‘to secure something’ and ‘to run away’. Now do you see how we can use one word to mean different things? Try the sentence “The horse couldn’t bolt because the barn door was bolted shut”.
