This paradox turns on the definition of the opposition between its the sense of “heterological”, referring to words that do not instantiate their own meaning, and that of “autological” or “homological”, referring to terms that do instantiate their own meaning. Examples typically cited are “short” and “polysyllabic”, which, since they instantiate their own meaning, are autological or homological, in opposition to “long” and “monosyllabic”, which do not do so and are therefore heterological. The paradox resides in the meaning of heterological, and is related to the barber paradox et al.
Initially, I could think of no other examples of terms thus instantiating their own sense, until recently, when, whilst frivolously composing limericks, I gave some thought to the terms defining metrical feet. Most of these are heterological, but “trochee” instantiates its own meaning and is therefore autological.
It has just occurred to me that « antonym » is also heterological.
Just a thought. I’m still looking for other examples, but not diligently! LJ
Lyndon @ Adonis Blue 