The Top Ten: Synonyms that sound like opposites
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Tom Startup pointed out that flammable and inflammable appear to be opposites but actually mean the same. Someone called Generally Right offered slim chance and fat chance, which is nice. Adam Huntley offered passive and impassive, although they are not quite synonyms.
1. Habitable, inhabitable Nominated by Chris Jones and Graham Kirby.
2. Heritable, inheritable Chris Jones at the double.
3. Press, depress From Jon Baines and Martyn P Jackson.
4. Bone, debone Jackson again, along with Richard Sagar, CazzPink and Graham Kirby.
5. Valuable, invaluable Nominated by Jon Baines and Graham Kirby.
6. Bar, debar From Stacey Murray. The Oxford English Dictionary says debar is from the French débarrer, itself from the Old French desbarrer, unbar.
7. Personate, impersonate From Carl Gardner, who reminds us that "personation" is the term for an electoral offence.
8. Ravel, unravel Xlibris1 again and Francis Wheen, who says: "My beloved Chambers dictionary app gives 'unravel' as a definition of 'ravel'."
9. Privation, deprivation Suggested by Xlibris1.
10. Genius, ingenious An ingenious one suggested by both Graham Kirby and Fiona Wright.
Next week: Fictional countries (not including 'the UK')
Coming soon: Books narrated by a killer (guest list by Peter Swanson). Send your suggestions, and ideas for future Top 10s, to top10@independent.co.uk.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments