The answers to the clues below are words which belong to a very small, highly unusual group of English words. What are the words, and why are they distinctive?

1. Disapprove
2. Cling
3. Remain unscathed
4. Commendation
5. Tied down

Answers:

1. Sanction
2. Cleave
3. Weather
4. Citation
5. Bound

These words are self-contradicting. They have two opposite meanings. They are sometimes called auto-antonyms. Sanction means to disapprove, but also to approve. Cleave means to cling, but also to separate. Weather means to remain unscathed, but also to show wear or damage. A citation can be a commendation or a reprimand - as a traffic citation. Bound means tied down, but also to spring away. 

Credit: Robert W. Harris
THE SAME, BUT DIFFERENT