inverse

1 of 2

adjective

in·​verse (ˌ)in-ˈvərs How to pronounce inverse (audio)
ˈin-ˌvərs
1
: opposite in order, nature, or effect
2
: being an inverse function
inverse sine

inverse

2 of 2

noun

1
: something of a contrary nature or quality : opposite, reverse
2
: a proposition or theorem formed by contradicting both the subject and predicate or both the hypothesis and conclusion of a given proposition or theorem
the inverse of "if A then B" is "if not-A then not-B"
compare contrapositive
3
a
: inverse function
also : an operation (such as subtraction) that undoes the effect of another operation
b
: a set element that is related to another element in such a way that the result of applying a given binary operation to them is an identity element of the set

Examples of inverse in a Sentence

Adjective Addition and subtraction are inverse operations. Noun the inverse of your argument
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
To start, the rally triggered a clear breakout through this inverse head-and-shoulders pattern — best seen on the weekly chart. Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 18 June 2025 Use Market Hedges – When the S&P 500 declines below its 200-day moving average consider adding an inverse market ETF to the portfolio with the aim of effectively hedge against volatile market conditions. Kenneth G. Winans, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
Noun
As such, the Marathon Closed Alpha lost PC players every day, the inverse of ARC, though some of that may be due to the somewhat inexplicable decision to barely give out new codes despite always promising more. Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025 Swing state Arizona had nearly the inverse of these numbers and flipped blue in 2024, with 52% of voters supporting Trump and 47% supporting Harris. Annabella Rosciglione, The Washington Examiner, 7 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for inverse

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, turned upside down, from Latin inversus, from past participle of invertere

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1658, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of inverse was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inverse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inverse. Accessed 29 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

inverse

1 of 2 adjective
in·​verse (ˈ)in-ˈvərs How to pronounce inverse (audio)
ˈin-vərs
1
: opposite in order, nature, or effect
an inverse relationship between interest rates and houses sold
2
: being a mathematical operation opposite in effect to another
addition and subtraction are inverse operations

inverse

2 of 2 noun
in·​verse
ˈin-ˌvərs,
(ˈ)in-ˈvərs
: something inverse or resulting in or from inversion

More from Merriam-Webster on inverse

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