Synonyms of reverse

reverse 1 of 3

verb

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

• overturn
• revoke
• switch
• revert
• repeal
• rescind
• abrogate
• annul
• strike down
• countermand
• backtrack
• about-face

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• maintain
• support
• uphold

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

• flip
• invert
• exchange
• switch
• turn over
• shift
• overturn
• transpose
• upset
• interchange

reverse

2 of 3

noun

1

as in reversal

a change in status for the worse usually temporarily

the party has suffered some major reverses as a result of the corruption scandal

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reversal
• setback
• reversion
• lapse
• knock
• decline
• disappointment
• regression
• downfall
• turnaround
• frustration
• collapse
• fall
• recession
• breakdown
• down
• undoing
• relapse
• letdown
• crash
• comedown
• retrogression
• turnabout
• descent
• ruin
• meltdown

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• status quo

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

• opposite
• contrary
• obverse
• counter
• antithesis
• negative
• antipode
• inverse
• negation
• converse
• counterpoint
• mirror image
• antonym

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• synonym
• analog
• analogue
• copy
• counterpart
• duplicate
• replica
• carbon copy

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

• back
• rear
• tail

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• front
• face
• forehead
• forepart

reverse

3 of 3

adjective

1

as in reversed

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reversed
• rear
• backward
• retrograde
• hind
• rearward
• aft
• after
• posterior
• astern
• sternforemost

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• forward

2

as in inverse

Synonyms & Similar Words

• inverse
• counter
• obverse
• cross
• antagonistic
• converse
• unlike
• divergent
• dissimilar
• opposite
• hostile
• unfavorable
• negative
• disparate
• adverse
• alien
• antipathetic
• contradictory
• antithetical
• diametrical
• unalike
• polar
• diametric
• contrary
• antipodal
• antipodean

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• similar
• analogous
• like
• same
• identical
• noncontradictory
• equivalent
• alike
• synonymous

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

Recent Examples of reverse

Verb

As of Friday, the department had reversed course on a handful of grants, restoring some funding. —Jack Brook, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2025

The Trump administration in nearly 100 days reversed Washington’s tone on cryptocurrency, making good on many of its promises to the industry in a blitz of executive orders and regulatory shake-ups. —Miranda Nazzaro, The Hill, 29 Apr. 2025

Noun

But can this also work in reverse — taking TV storylines and shifting them to a theatrical release? —Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 17 Apr. 2025

Move the dailies out to the street and after the drive do it all in reverse. —Marah Eakin, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2025

Adjective

Despite their attempt at reverse Darwinism, Democrats appear stuck on reacting one by one to waves of disinformation rather than — since their whole-is-greater-than-the-sum -of-its-parts — reframing the narrative to get back on offense. —Mark Green, New York Daily News, 20 Apr. 2025

International agreements such as the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions establish global standards that directly affect American companies’ ability to market products abroad and manage reverse logistics and material recovery. —Kristen Edgreen Kaufman, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025