I'm aware of the existence of auto-antonyms/contranyms, but I'm looking for something that seems to be the opposite: a situation in which either word in a set of antonyms results in the same meaning. To be clear, a contranym requires antonymous homographs; I am searching for two distinct words that are antonyms but convey the same meaning in context. For example, the following sentences mean the same thing:
- How is your homework coming?
- How is your homework going?
The only other example I can think of at the moment is "slow up/down", although there are probably others. (I keep telling myself to write them down as I come across them, but that's a separate issue.)
Additionally, I recognize that there may be a subtle difference in connotation that I'm missing. In the situations I've presented, do the two words mean exactly the same thing, or is it inappropriate to use on in certain cases? To me it has always just been the one that comes more naturally in speech, but I believe I use the coming/going example both ways equally as often.
Edit: I should state that I'm wondering if a term for such a situation exists; I am not searching for more examples, although those are welcome!