reverse 1 of 3

1
as in to overturn
to change (as an opinion) to the contrary the appeals court reversed the district court's decision

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to flip
to change the position of (an object) so that the opposite side or end is showing when one side of the cleaning cloth gets dirty, just reverse it you can reverse the jacket for a whole new look

Synonyms & Similar Words

reverse

2 of 3

noun

1
2
as in opposite
something that is as different as possible from something else how could you think I don't like pizza, when it's just the reverse: I love pizza

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
as in back
a behind part or surface on the reverse of the ticket you'll find the notice that it's nontransferable

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

reverse

3 of 3

adjective

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb reverse contrast with its synonyms?

The words invert and transpose are common synonyms of reverse. While all three words mean "to change to the opposite position," reverse is the most general term and may imply change in order, side, direction, meaning.

reversed his position on the trade agreement

When might invert be a better fit than reverse?

In some situations, the words invert and reverse are roughly equivalent. However, invert applies chiefly to turning upside down or inside out.

the number 9 looks like an inverted 6

When could transpose be used to replace reverse?

The meanings of transpose and reverse largely overlap; however, transpose implies a change in order or relative position of units often through exchange of position.

transposed the letters to form an anagram

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of reverse
Verb
But the magnetic poles in Orlando are not going to reverse: Disney, which attracts roughly 50 million guests annually to its Florida parks, has too powerful of a hold on childhoods. Todd Anderson, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025 Additional staff need to be cut from the agency's workforce to compensate for others whose layoffs had to be reversed, one NIH source said. Alexander Tin, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2025
Noun
The tow truck driver got under the car just behind the front tire with the chains, then the man in the car put the vehicle in reverse, running over his head and arm, the video shows. Olivia Lloyd, Charlotte Observer, 27 Mar. 2025 The Portuguese director Manoel de Oliveira, who died in 2015, at the age of a hundred and six, is the Benjamin Button of filmmaking, precocious in reverse. Richard Brody, New Yorker, 26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
Even if the images didn't have names or registration emails attached, the researchers noted how techniques like reverse image search could be used to identify the people in the pictures. Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 30 Mar. 2025 There were moments of sheer genius — a deft reverse pass to find Leroy Sane in a 7-2 win against Stoke City; a free kick rolled under the wall against Cardiff City, a defence-splitting ball to drag Manchester City back into the game at Newcastle. The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for reverse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reverse
Verb
  • He was released after a court overturned his 40-year sentence for the kidnapping and killing of Camarena.
    Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The decision overturned a lower court ruling that had required their reinstatement, supporting Trump's efforts to downsize the federal workforce.
    Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Two of those districts -- Pennsylvania's 8th, represented by Rep. Robert Bresnahan, and Colorado's 8th, represented by Rep. Gabe Evans, were flipped by Republicans in the 2024 election.
    Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2025
  • About a dozen House conservatives ultimately flipped their opposition after receiving assurances from leaders that the Senate would pursue $1.5 trillion in savings, at a minimum.
    Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The reversal played out at the closed board meeting, the person and Dreyer, who listened to the meeting over Zoom, said to The Bee.
    Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • His defensive stance provided a massive cushion for Berkshire as President Donald Trump’s stunning tariff rollout and reversal triggered roller-coaster price swings in the market.
    Yun Li, CNBC, 13 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • That shows the family is teaching empathy, mutual respect, and emotional intelligence—precisely the opposite of what the uncle accused them of lacking.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
  • However, the opposite has been noticed, with Russia escalating its bombardment of Ukrainian cities, firing 70 missiles and 2,200 drones.
    Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The Athletic reported in July that there was a feeling among coaching staff that there could be less reliability at the back this campaign, with the expectation of conceding 10 to 15 more goals but the hope, with Mbappe, of increasing the goalscoring significantly.
    Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Loading your audio article PITTSBURGH — Cody Bellinger remained out of the Yankees’ lineup for the second straight day on Saturday, as the center fielder has been dealing with a stiff back.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • As Daniel notes, the longer first stint on the inverse tire strategy didn’t pay off to try and close the gap with a tire delta late on, as the race’s low tire degradation significantly reduced this possibility.
    Luke Smith, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Esther Feit, Delray Beach Silencing knowledge The Trump administration’s war on literacy and erudition opens a sad chapter on the inverse and hostile relationship between knowledge and power.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • On Monday, the Department of Homeland Security revoked the legal status of the immigrants who used that app.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Apr. 2025
  • Four University of Florida students have had their visas revoked, the university’s director of public affairs told CNN Friday.
    Kathleen Magramo, CNN Money, 12 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The announcement adds to a string of setbacks in the company’s bid to win a slice of the booming market for GLP-1s, which mimic certain gut hormones to tamp down appetite and regulate blood sugar.
    Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 14 Apr. 2025
  • McIlroy responded to all of his setbacks admirably.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Reverse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reverse. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.

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