revert

verb

re·​vert ri-ˈvərt 

reverted; reverting; reverts

intransitive verb

1

: to come or go back (as to a former condition, period, or subject)

2

: to return to the proprietor or his or her heirs at the end of a reversion

3

: to return to an ancestral type

reverter noun

revertible

ri-ˈvər-tə-bəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• regress
• retrogress
• return

Examples of revert in a Sentence

after the national emergency had passed, the political parties abandoned their shotgun unity and reverted to their partisan squabbling

Recent Examples on the Web

Dan Burn has again risen to every challenge thrown at him, reverting back to central defence after Sven Botman’s anterior cruciate ligament injury. —George Caulkin, The Athletic, 29 Dec. 2024

The New Jersey winner has until March 26, 2025, to claim the prize and if it's not claimed the unpaid prize will revert back to each participating Mega Millions jurisdictions, according to Mega Millions. —Joyce Orlando, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024

Some realized remote was the way to go, while others reverted and pushed workers back to offices. —Toni Ann Careccio-Pisano, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024

Unable to get rid of dysfunctional cells, the immune system itself gets weaker and can revert into a pro-inflammatory state that damages the few remaining healthy cells in your system. —Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, Flow Space, 10 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French revertir, from Latin revertere, transitive verb, "to turn back" & reverti, intransitive verb, "to return, come back," from re- + vertere, verti "to turn" — more at worth

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing revert

• revert to
• revert to type

Kids Definition

revert

verb

re·​vert ri-ˈvərt 

1

: to come or go back

reverted to the customs of their ancestors

2

: to experience reversion

Medical Definition

revert

intransitive verb

re·​vert ri-ˈvərt 

: to undergo reversion

revertible

-ˈvərt-ə-bəl 

adjective

Legal Definition

revert

intransitive verb

re·​vert ri-ˈvərt 

1

: to come or go back (as to a former status or state)

if the donee of a general power fails to exercise it…the appointive assets revert to the donor's estate

—W. M. McGovern, Jr. et al.

2

: to return to the grantor or his or her heirs as a reversion

revertible

-ˈvər-tə-bəl 

adjective