reverse 1 of 3

1
as in to overturn
to change (as an opinion) to the contrary the appeals court reversed the district court's decision

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to flip
to change the position of (an object) so that the opposite side or end is showing when one side of the cleaning cloth gets dirty, just reverse it you can reverse the jacket for a whole new look

Synonyms & Similar Words

reverse

2 of 3

noun

1
2
as in opposite
something that is as different as possible from something else how could you think I don't like pizza, when it's just the reverse: I love pizza

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
as in back
a behind part or surface on the reverse of the ticket you'll find the notice that it's nontransferable

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

reverse

3 of 3

adjective

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb reverse contrast with its synonyms?

The words invert and transpose are common synonyms of reverse. While all three words 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

When might invert be a better fit than reverse?

In some situations, the words invert and reverse are roughly equivalent. However, invert applies chiefly to turning upside down or inside out.

the number 9 looks like an inverted 6

When could transpose be used to replace reverse?

The meanings of transpose and reverse largely overlap; however, transpose implies a change in order or relative position of units often through exchange of position.

transposed the letters to form an anagram

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of reverse
Verb
Since taking office for a second run as Brazil’s environment and climate minister in 2023, the country has quickly and dramatically reversed deforestation trends with strict enforcement of environment rules that had been abandoned by her predecessor. Justin Worland, Time, 9 May 2025 The mass firing of many researchers and staffers at NOAA was — briefly — reversed under court order, then the employees were laid off again. Alex Harris, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 May 2025
Noun
In Vietnam, dusty provincial museums and newer, sleeker ones inaugurated for the 50th anniversary echo the sentiment in reverse, displaying mannequins of wily peasant farmers taking on the U.S. war machine. Made By History, Time, 30 Apr. 2025 That’s one of the most normal things for a story that was always told in reverse. Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
The promise of such innovations — which can, among other medical miracles, target and destroy cancer cells, potentially reverse hearing loss, and enable sickle-cell patients to live without debilitating pain — can hardly be overstated. Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 15 Apr. 2025 Known for its reverse chronological storytelling, the noir thriller stars Rainn Wilson, Wyatt Russell, Ron Livingston, and more. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 28 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for reverse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reverse
Verb
  • But in April, the state’s Court of Appeals, which has a Republican majority, issued a three-sentence decision overturning the lower court’s ruling without hearing oral arguments.
    Doug Bock Clark, ProPublica, 16 May 2025
  • Those fighting Trump's order say 150 years of judicial precedent will be overturned should the birthright order be allowed to go into effect.
    Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • The town of London, 75 miles south of Lexington, was devastated − with entire neighborhoods razed with homes reduced to rubble, downed power lines and cars flipped and strewn onto yards.
    John Bacon, USA Today, 20 May 2025
  • The intimacy coordinator would come over with an iPad and flip through new positions.
    Matt Donnelly, Variety, 19 May 2025
Noun
  • The speed of that reversal underscores just how fast attitudes are changing.
    Tony Bradley, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
  • The new leadership brought about a radical shift in foreign policy towards a more pro-Islamic, anti-Western approach—and a reversal of its stance towards Israel.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 21 May 2025
Noun
  • The two are arguably the two biggest stars in golf and are polar opposites in many ways.
    Troy Finnegan‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
  • Betting the farm is the opposite of smart portfolio management.
    Dev Patnaik, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
Noun
  • Perhaps anticipating the collision, video footage showed the goat leaping into the air and brushing Smith’s leg and back wheel.
    Ben Church, CNN Money, 12 May 2025
  • But for the time being, the eyes of new running backs coach Eric Bieniemy, Johnson and Poles are mostly on Monangai.
    Phil Rogers, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
Adjective
  • One basis point is equivalent to 0.01%, and yields and prices have an inverse relationship.
    Brian Evans,Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 13 May 2025
  • The lottery determines the order of the top four picks, with teams then picking in inverse order of record.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 13 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The Administration sought to revoke the immigration status of thousands of international students in April.
    Solcyré Burga, Time, 20 May 2025
  • Significantly, this executive order revokes a previous one, issued by President Bill Clinton, which mandated that the federal government offer linguistic access to people with limited English proficiency.
    Graciela Mochkofsky, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
Noun
  • Yet Vardy took his early setbacks and used them to become one of the most resilient players in history.
    Ciarán McArdle, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
  • By all accounts, there has been no setback in his return from the elbow inflammation that has sidelined him since mid-March.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Reverse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reverse. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

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