0
Mr. Tom Posted 16 years ago
Vocabulary

When two opposite words give the same meaning...

Hi

Is there any term in English for a situation when two opposite words give the same meaning.

The thick trees on either side of the street deepened its horror.

The thick trees on either side of the street heightened its horror.

It's a slightly different situation.

Twenty people have left. Now only one is left.

Thanks,

Tom
  

Top answer

The first is an interesting case, though I don't think 'deepened' collocates well there. But I don't know a word for it. The second case is just a case of verb forms, I think.

— Mister Micawber

  • The first is an interesting case, though I don't think 'deepened' collocates well there.
  • But I don't know a word for it.
  • The second case is just a case of verb forms, I think.
  • 20 people have left and one is (has been) left.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

3 Answers
0
The first is an interesting case, though I don't think 'deepened' collocates well there. But I don't know a word for it.

The second case is just a case of verb forms, I think. 20 people have left and one is (has been) left.
0
0

Thanks, MM!

Are these natural collocations?

...deepened its mystery.

...heightened its mystery.

Tom


PS: I can't edit my first post now. Could you please correct the spelling mistake? Thick trees...
0
0
Heightened sounds natural to me there, too.
0

Related Questions