Are there any words that look almost identical when spelled out, but that mean opposite things?

[BillyRayPreachersSon]

I was having a conversation this morning about how good a job our brain does at presenting us with the right words for the context of a sentence - even if those words are slightly mis-spelled.

The word that started it all off was the intentional mis-spelling of the word 'imperial' as 'imerpial' in the signature of a player in the web-based trading game Pardus. No-one noticed the typo, and it was in place for some time (intentionally). My response was that all the other users could be dyselxic, which was quite amusing as the intentional typo in the word 'dyslexic' was missed by some (their brains simply filled in the right word for the context, thus proving my point).

This got me thinking... If there were two words that looked almost identical when spelled out, but that meant very opposite things, this could lead to all sorts of mischief if our brains told us we were looking at the wrong word given the context. For example, it wouldn't be hard for some unscrupulous wheeler-dealer shady business types to put together a contract that was completely in their favour but we thought it was fine due to reading something that was never actually there.

I don't know of any such words, but can anyone else think of any?

Dan


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[SkipVought]

The king took the horse's rein during his reign in the rain; no strain.

Skip,
[sub]
Just traded in my old subtlety...
for a NUANCE![/sub]

 

[kwbMitel]

If intentional, Ingenuous can be pronounced to sound like Ingenious as well

Written it can be biased by adjectives

That is an absolutlely incredible ingenuous idea.

**********************************************
What's most important is that you realise ... There is no spoon.

 

[flyboytim]

In the dust, boned, and last category:

Fast as in moving rapidly.
Fast as in stuck firmly.

Nice as a particular point.
Nice as a general approval.

Flats are tall buildings.
Flats are plane surfaces or level plains.

Wicked is very good.
Wicked is very bad.

But ambiguity of:

The plane flew over the wood. - forestry aviator - which requires some vertical separation.

The plane flew over the wood. - expert joiner - which requires continuous contact.

 

[strongm]

warrantee - a person or party who is guaranteed something
warranty - the guarantee itself

 

[Olaf Doschke]

http://www.dailywritingtips.com/ingenious-vs-ingenuous/

And there is a next triple of words: elude, allude, illude. Allusion and illusion.

Bye, Olaf.

 

[Olaf Doschke]

Fiancé, Financier.

Women, watch out, who's standing next to your at your wedding. The latter would perhaps be the better choice.

Bye, Olaf.

 

[2ffat]

I've seen these recently misused on a website: break and brake.


James P. Cottingham
[sup]I'm number 1,229!
I'm number 1,229![/sup]

 

[kwbMitel]

Had to read this one a couple of times today because my mind substituted the wrong word.

Not opposites per-se but definitly not in the same region of meaning.

Opimium Society

**********************************************
What's most important is that you realise ... There is no spoon.

 

[flyboytim]

flaunt, flout, flounce

To show off, or exhibit oneself in a provocative or ostentatious display.
vs.
To disregard or show contempt for a rule or convention.
vs.
To exit in an exaggerated and often agitated display of displeasure. (There is also a separate noun - flounce - which is a gathered frill or pleated decoration at the edge of a piece of fabric instead of a plain hem.)