revert

verb

re·​vert ri-ˈvərt 

reverted; reverting; reverts

intransitive verb

1

: to come or go back (as to a former condition, period, or subject)

2

: to return to the proprietor or his or her heirs at the end of a reversion

3

: to return to an ancestral type

reverter noun

revertible

ri-ˈvər-tə-bəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• regress
• retrogress
• return

Examples of revert in a Sentence

after the national emergency had passed, the political parties abandoned their shotgun unity and reverted to their partisan squabbling

Recent Examples on the Web

During this, a medusa jellyfish will revert back to its polyp stage, according to American Museum of Natural History. —Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 30 Mar. 2024

Hopefully, the devs will realise this was a big mistake and revert the recoil changes introduced with the 14.1 patch earlier today. —Mike Stubbs, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024

The bishop urged the school to change course and revert back to its original policy. —Jeremiah Poff, Washington Examiner, 21 Dec. 2023

If that’s the case, everything will probably revert back to normal, as that group has gone 14-5 since Jan. 30 — the best record in the NBA in that span. —Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2024

For all that has changed with the culture under Campbell, the Lions reverted back to the disappointing team that longtime followers had hoped was a thing of the past. —USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2024

In an email to the college's community, Saint Mary's College President Katie Conboy said the university is reverting back to its prior policy of only admitting biological women after the college's initial decision to admit males who identify as women was roundly condemned. —Jeremiah Poff, Washington Examiner, 21 Dec. 2023

Royal 2, Simi Valley 1: Ryan Ulmen delivered a two-strike, two-run double in the seventh to help give Simi Valley a 6-2 lead, but darkness stopped the game and the score reverted back to the sixth inning, giving Royal the victory. —Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2024

Meanwhile, Jackson, now 2-4 in postseason, reverted. —Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French revertir, from Latin revertere, transitive verb, "to turn back" & reverti, intransitive verb, "to return, come back," from re- + vertere, verti "to turn" — more at worth

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing revert

• revert to
• revert to type

Kids Definition

revert

verb

re·​vert ri-ˈvərt 

1

: to come or go back

reverted to the customs of their ancestors

2

: to experience reversion

Medical Definition

revert

intransitive verb

re·​vert ri-ˈvərt 

: to undergo reversion

revertible

-ˈvərt-ə-bəl 

adjective

Legal Definition

revert

intransitive verb

re·​vert ri-ˈvərt 

1

: to come or go back (as to a former status or state)

if the donee of a general power fails to exercise it…the appointive assets revert to the donor's estate

—W. M. McGovern, Jr. et al.

2

: to return to the grantor or his or her heirs as a reversion

revertible

-ˈvər-tə-bəl 

adjective