reverse

²reverse

verb

re·versedre·vers·ing

Definition of REVERSE

transitive verb

1

a : to turn completely about in position or direction b : to turn upside down : invert c : to cause to take an opposite point of view <reversed herself on the issue>

2

: negate, undo: as a : to overthrow, set aside, or make void (a legal decision) by a contrary decision b : to change to the contrary <reverse a policy> c : to undo or negate the effect of (as a condition or surgical operation) <had his vasectomy reversed>

3

: to cause to go in the opposite direction; especially : to cause (as an engine) to perform its action in the opposite direction

intransitive verb

1

: to turn or move in the opposite direction <the count's waltzing … consisted … of reversing at top speed — Agatha Christie>

2

: to put a mechanism (as an engine) in reverse

— re·vers·er noun

— reverse field or reverse one's field

: to make a sudden reversal in direction or opinion

Examples of REVERSE

1. The runners reversed their direction on the track.
2. There is no way to reverse the aging process.
3. Can anything reverse the trend toward higher prices?
4. Reverse the “i” and “e” in “recieve” to spell “receive” correctly.
5. My mother and I reversed our roles. Now I'm taking care of her.
6. We're going to reverse our usual order and start with Z.

First Known Use of REVERSE

14th century

Related to REVERSE

Synonyms: switch

Related Words: abrogate, annul, overturn, repeal, rescind, revoke, strike down; about-face, backtrack, countermand, revert

Near Antonyms: maintain, support, uphold

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Synonym Discussion of REVERSE

reverse, transpose, invert 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>. transpose implies a change in order or relative position of units often through exchange of position <transposed the letters to form an anagram>. invert applies chiefly to turning upside down or inside out <a stamp with an inverted picture of an airplane>.