The word "cleave" has two opposite meanings...to cling closely to or to cut apart. I am trying to think of other words like this but am drawing a blank.
many such lists can be found online; here's one of them:
* imposing, 1 : impressive 2 : taking unwarranted advantage
* trip, 1 : step lightly 2 : stumble or cause to stumble
* overlook, 1 : observation point 2 : fail to see
* buckle, 1 : fasten together 2 : fall apart
* clip, 1: separate (cut) 2 : fasten
* oversight, 1 : supervision 2 : neglect
* qualified, 1 : competent 2 : limited
* sanction, 1 : approve 2 : disapprove
* temper, 1 : soften 2 : strengthen
* resign, 1 : give up, quit 2 : sign on again.
* left, 1: Gone 2: stayed behind
* let -- meaning (1) allow and (2) hinder or obstuct
* fast -- meaning (1) speedy and (2) standing still
* scan --1. to examine minutely. 2. to glance at hastily.
* chuffed, 1: pleased; satisfied 2 : displeased; annoyed
* tabled, 1: brought forward for discussion (UK) 2: laid aside (US)
* sententious, 1: Full of pithy expressions. 2: Full of pompous moralizing.
(not all of these are opposites, strictly speaking)
Is it presumptious to quickly add my
* peak,1: /\ 2:\/
-- ? The peak of a pyramid and the narrowest part of a trench.(peaks and troughs) A V-shaped trough is a peakish void on its head
(hmm, nonsense?)
The word "cleave" has two opposite meanings
But note that they come from two different verbs in OE. The one meaning "cut apart" is from
cleofan, the "cling to" is from
cleofian, so they're not really the same word. They just happen to be spelled and pronounced the same.