Will you peruse this post?

Sat, 28 Feb 2026 13:38:00 -0500

I learned a new word today: contronym. It means a word whose definitions contradict each other. The example, thanks to a random Silicon Valley clip, is “peruse”. I’ve always used this word synonymously with “skim”, but Merriam-Webster presents two contradictory definitions:

to examine or consider with attention and in detail
to look over or through in a casual or cursory manner

I think I was vaguely aware of this definitional confusion, but only today did I learn that there was a term for this category of words.

Another one that annoys me is “sanction”…to sanction a behaviour can either mean to endorse it or to punish it…not helpful!

Language on Big Muddy

Will you peruse this post?