Or adultesence might be just the opposite: not evidence of progress but another sign of a generalized regression.

NEWYORKER: Spoiled Rotten

Although some analysts may be tempted to interpret the collapse of the BAE-EADS merger as a sign of weakness, the exact opposite is true.

FORBES: BAE Systems Pulls The Plug On One Opportunity, But With Plenty Of Others To Pursue

On the opposite end of the spectrum, this is a sign that women are increasingly exercising their right to choose the circumstances under which they have children.

FORBES: Childlessness Is Up, But Not Among Highly Educated Women

And once again, its opposite (taking up less space) can be a sign of respect.

FORBES: How to Detect Respect - or Disrespect: Body Language Quick Takes #7

" In the stands opposite the Toronto bench, three female fans held up a sign that read, "Send Boston Love.

NPR: Celtics Back On Court, Offer Tribute To Victims

When his bosses demanded he sign an agreement not to compete, he did the opposite.

FORBES: Database evangelist

The participants who read the former sign opted mostly for the larger pieces, and the opposite was true for the other set of subjects.

FORBES: Consumers Opt For Larger Food Portions To Increase Social Status

The opposite of a buying climax is a selling climax, which is a bullish sign that a stock has bottomed.

FORBES

There is little sign here of home-grown inflationary pressures building up - quite the opposite.

BBC: Wet weather helps Bank's inflation forecast

Dr Carre does not believe that Britain and France would sign any deal that would compromise their ability to act independently if they found themselves on opposite sides of an argument, as in 2003.

BBC: French-UK defence treaty born of necessity