1
: the side of a coin or currency note bearing the chief device and lettering
broadly
: a front or principal surface
2
: a counterpart having the opposite orientation or force
Their rise was merely the obverse of the Empire's fall …—
A. J. Toynbee
A. J. Toynbee3
: a proposition inferred immediately from another by denying the opposite of what the given proposition affirms
the obverse of "all A is B" is "no A is not B"
Did you know?
Heads or tails? If you called heads, obverse is the word for you. Since the 17th century, we've been using obverse for the front side of coins (usually the side depicting the head or bust of a prominent person). The opposite of this sense of obverse is reverse, the back or tails side of a coin. Since the 19th century, obverse has referred to an opposing counterpart or an opposite. Additionally, it can be an adjective meaning "facing the observer or opponent" or "being a counterpart or complement."
Examples of obverse in a Sentence
joy and its obverse, sadness
We thought they would be pleased with our decision. We have learned, however, that the obverse is true.
Recent Examples on the Web
Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg via Getty Images New designs on the obverse and reverse of the 2026 dime, quarter and half dollar coins will be minted throughout the year to celebrate 250 years since the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.
—CBS News, 11 Dec. 2025
Design Details: The obverse showcases Adolph A. Weinman's depiction of Liberty, while the reverse features an eagle landing with an oak branch, designed by Emily Damstra and sculpted by Michael Gaudioso, USA Today reported.
—Emma Marsden, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025
On the watch’s obverse, a teal blue dial in grand feu enamel presents a dynamic barley-seed pattern that requires 12 hours of meticulous hand-work to create.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2025
Kraft noted that the coin's obverse was identical to the 1806 British coinage, while the reverse was unique to the Bahamas.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obverse
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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CBS News, 11 Dec. 2025
Design Details: The obverse showcases Adolph A. Weinman's depiction of Liberty, while the reverse features an eagle landing with an oak branch, designed by Emily Damstra and sculpted by Michael Gaudioso, USA Today reported.
—Emma Marsden, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025
On the watch’s obverse, a teal blue dial in grand feu enamel presents a dynamic barley-seed pattern that requires 12 hours of meticulous hand-work to create.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2025
Kraft noted that the coin's obverse was identical to the 1806 British coinage, while the reverse was unique to the Bahamas.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obverse
Cite this Entry
“Obverse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obverse. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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