in reverse

phrase

1

: in an opposite manner or direction

The story is told in reverse.

2

: in a way that is opposite to the normal

People were moving from the city to the country, but now the situation is in reverse.

3

: toward an opposite or worse state or condition

Negotiations are moving in reverse.

Examples of in reverse in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As many people, including Clooney, noted, Wednesday night’s opening ceremony was essentially autofiction in reverse — a film that had been loosely inspired by Clooney’s life was now influencing events in his actual life. — Nate Jones, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026

The vehicle did not stop and continued in reverse away from me. — David Zeug, Outdoor Life, 3 Sep. 2026

The team also ran the analysis in reverse to see whether perianal diseases influence sleep, and used additional sensitivity tests to confirm the results held up. — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Sep. 2026

Pack the car in reverse order, so the last box loaded is the first one your student needs. — Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1639, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for in reverse

• reimburse
• universe
• adverse
• averse
• coerce
• disburse
• disperse
• diverse
• immerse
• inverse
• obverse
• perverse