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

Examples 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
In 1900, engineers reversed the flow of the Chicago River, and 45 years before that, lawmakers decided to physically elevate the city from the swampland on which it was built. Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Jan. 2025 In the scene, the huge black dog wildly bites a New York pedestrian, then charges at Romy full speed before Samuel, out of nowhere, reverses the dog’s course with a single command. Fran Tirado, Them, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
The night was a downhill slope, a movement in woeful reverse, a tidal pull back into the tumult and dangerous madness of what must now be called the era of Trump. Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 25 Dec. 2024 The motor company said the rearview camera image may freeze when the vehicle is in reverse. Ahjané Forbes, USA TODAY, 30 Dec. 2024
Adjective
Another excellent reverse image search tool that may turn up additional results. Kim Komando, USA TODAY, 9 Jan. 2025 There are just seven: Push (like with a chest press), pull (a row), hinge (a Romanian deadlift), squat (a goblet squat), single-leg (a reverse lunge), rotate (a wood-chop), and core stability (a plank). Christa Sgobba, SELF, 7 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for reverse 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reverse
Verb
  • That came in response to a Supreme Court ruling last year that granted Trump sweeping protections from criminal liability over his role in trying to overturn his 2020 loss to Biden.
    Chris Megerian, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2025
  • In 2020, Moody supported Trump by backing the Texas v. Pennsylvania lawsuit that aimed to overturn his loss in the presidential election that year.
    Julia Manchester, The Hill, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Still, the new contract hadn't been executed by the time the calendar flipped to 2025, and PAD Atlanta and the city were trading words again through social media and a press release.
    Kristal Dixon, Axios, 6 Jan. 2025
  • Shortly before the calendar flipped from 2024 to 2025, the Baltimore Orioles learned their association with Corbin Burnes was a one-year partnership just like the New York Yankees and their time with Juan Soto.
    Larry Fleisher, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Meta’s decision to eliminate its fact-checking program marks a sharp reversal for the major social media company, quickly prompting questions over the firm’s direction as President-elect Trump heads back to the Oval Office.
    Miranda Nazzaro, The Hill, 7 Jan. 2025
  • The judicial branch of the federal government will have some decisions of its own to make about the monument, and may inject still more reversals.
    Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • While the Salvation Army says its aim is to prevent homelessness, some advocates have seen the opposite.
    Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 14 Jan. 2025
  • Rather than influencing banks to ignore climate change, the incoming Trump administration and bank regulators should be pushing banks to do the opposite.
    Mayra Rodriguez Valladares, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Just ask these stars, all of whom struggled to produce against the All-Pro defensive back.
    Ryan McFadden, The Denver Post, 11 Jan. 2025
  • Free clothing Brooklyn Projects, a skateboard and clothing shop on Melrose, is providing free clothing, shoes and socks for victims who left their homes with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
    Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Headlines about Trump’s tariff plans also spooked investors, giving a boost to the dollar, which has an inverse relationship with bitcoin.
    Tanaya Macheel, CNBC, 14 Jan. 2025
  • An inverse effect of the group chat’s casual, forgettable dialogue is that switching into a more earnest mode can be difficult.
    Matthew Schnipper, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Farnsworth, 62, has been in federal custody since his bond was revoked in August 2023.
    Gene Maddaus, Variety, 7 Jan. 2025
  • His license will also be revoked for three years, and he will be required to take a defense driving course.
    Angie DiMichele, Sun Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Red Flag Warning Will Remain Until Friday Evening As Blazes Burn More Than 2,000 Structures Google’s Gmail Upgrade—Do Not Lose Your Account Shifting The Blame Leaders often externalize responsibility for setbacks: • The market wasn’t ready.
    Victoria Vitchenco, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
  • That would be an uplifting start to a year that could deliver the far right setbacks rather than more victories.
    Paul Hockenos, TIME, 9 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near reverse

Cite this Entry

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

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