reverses; reversed; reversing
1
: to change (something) to an opposite state or condition
Our roles as caregiver and patient have been reversed. [=switched]
The runners reversed their direction on the track.
The Supreme Court reversed [=overturned] the decision.
The college is trying to reverse the decline in applicants. [=the college is trying to get more people to apply]
Had our situations been reversed [=if I had been in the situation that you were in], I would have done things differently.
2
: to cause (something, such as a process) to stop or return to an earlier state
We cannot reverse [=undo] the damage that is already done.
The medicine may reverse the course of this disease. [=the medicine may stop this disease from getting worse]
There is no way to reverse the aging process.
The operation cannot be reversed. [=undone]
Can anything reverse the trend toward higher prices?
3
a
: to change the order or position of (two things or a series)
Reverse the "i" and "e" in "recieve" to spell "receive" correctly.
My mother and I reversed our roles. Now I'm taking care of her.
We're going to reverse our usual order and start with Z.
b
: to switch the positions of the top and bottom or the front and back of (something)
You need to reverse the paper [=to turn the paper around] in the printer so that the letterhead is up.
Reverse that painting [=turn that painting over] so that I can see the back.
4
chiefly British
: to drive (a vehicle) backward
Reverse [=(US) back, back up] the car into/out of the parking space.
Reverse [=(US) back, back up] into/out of the parking space.
The car reversed. [=(US) backed up]
plural reverses
1
: something that is opposite to something else
The river flows south to north, rather than the reverse. [=north to south]
Women may play in the men's league, but not the reverse. [=but men cannot play in the women's league]
I thought she would like the movie, but actually the reverse was true. [=she didn't like the movie]
You don't owe me any money. If anything, the reverse is true. [=I owe you money]
"Did you think it would be difficult?" "Quite the reverse. [=quite the contrary] I thought it would be easy."
—often + ofThe ending of the book was the reverse of what I expected.
2
: the back side of a coin, document, etc.
The building appears on the reverse of the coin.
Please sign your name on the reverse.
3
: reverse gear
I put the car in/into reverse and backed out of the garage.
—sometimes used figurativelyThe economy seems to be stuck in reverse. [=the economy is continuing to get worse]
4
formal
: a change that makes something worse
The loss of their support was a serious reverse for the project.
—usually pluralThe company has had some financial reverses. [=setbacks]
5
American football
: a play in which one player gives the ball to another player who is moving in the opposite direction
always used before a noun
1
: opposite to what is usual or stated
Can you say the alphabet in reverse order?
The wheel will not turn in the reverse [=other] direction.
The drug is used to lower blood pressure but may have the reverse effect in some patients.
2
: opposite to the front
Please sign your name on the reverse [=back] side.
Cite this Entry
“Reverse.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/reverse. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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