conversely

adverb

con·​verse·​ly kən-ˈvərs-lē 

ˈkän-ˌvərs-

: in a contrasting or opposite way

—used to introduce a statement that contrasts with a previous statement or presents a differing interpretation or possibility

The jurors' decision not to ask to rehear the experts' testimony could be an indication that they accepted their opinions at face value or, conversely, that they were unimpressed.

—Manuel Roig-Franzia

If this active gene is a mutation that would otherwise have been recessive, it can lead to disease. Conversely, if the silenced gene is harmful in some way, imprinting can be beneficial.

—Michael Reilly

Synonyms

• again
• contrarily
• contrariwise

Examples of conversely in a Sentence

she cannot stand sugary food; conversely, her husband is fond of sweets

Recent Examples on the Web

White dwarfs, conversely, are the cosmic corpses of smaller stars with masses more in line with that of the sun. —Robert Lea, Space.com, 17 Apr. 2025

Books like those by Louis and Ernaux, conversely, avoid this trap, Larson and Quart argue. —Rhian Sasseen, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2025

Doulas, conversely, offer non-medical emotional and physical support during labor, and afterward, during the postpartum. —Dominique Fluker, Essence, 14 Apr. 2025

And as the Premier League title beckons at the end of year one in England, there’s no shaking the feeling that, conversely, Slot’s second season at Anfield could be more taxing than his first. —Phil Hay, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1730, in the meaning defined above