What do you call it?

[micromac98]

Is there a term for words that sound as if they are opposites, but actually have a similar meaning? Such as flammable/inflammable, genius/ingenious, bone/debone, etc...

 

[RonBee]

It's contranym.

 

[RonBee]

Contranym

Contranym(s)
http://rec-puzzles.org/new/sol.pl/language/english/meaning/synonyms/contranym
(I wholly disagree with the first part of the list. A contranym is one word, not two different words.)

What is the proper term for a word that has two opposing meanings?
http://www.askoxford.com/asktheexperts/faq/aboutwords/contranym
(I include that one because of all the other interesting stuff.)

CONTRANYMS
http://ccins.camosun.bc.ca/~peterm/venus/contranyms.html
(A list of contranyms and an interesting explanation of the word.)

Finally, if you type in contranym at onelook.com you get this site: https://www.usingenglish.com/glossary/contranym.html

Forums page:
https://www.usingenglish.com/english_forum.html

 

[RonBee]

I misread the question initially.

Try:

• pseudo-antonym

I think that one might work.

 

[RonBee]

What do you think?