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
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
1
2
as in inverse
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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
Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2025
An experimental serum shows promise in reversing baldness within 20 days.
—Staff, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Jamie Allison Sanders, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
The course, which is still 10K, follows the same path as the summertime Peachtree race but in reverse with the finish line at Lenox Square.
—Nicole Bennett, AJC.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Austin Meek, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
Tucker Langford will be posted up for a reverse Trick-or-Treat event at his home Friday and Saturday, where people are asked to dress up in costumes and bring some of his favorite treats.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reverse
Verb
Hysteresis occurs when motion lags slightly behind the forces driving it, such as when gears hesitate while reversing direction.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2025
An experimental serum shows promise in reversing baldness within 20 days.
—Staff, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
Joycatch Stretchy Wide-Leg Pants Go for a look like Garner’s in these charcoal gray, wide-leg pants with a pull-on waistband and single-reverse pleats.
—Jamie Allison Sanders, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
The course, which is still 10K, follows the same path as the summertime Peachtree race but in reverse with the finish line at Lenox Square.
—Nicole Bennett, AJC.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
The other was a 37-yard pass to tight end Zack Marshall on a reverse flea-flicker.
—Austin Meek, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
Tucker Langford will be posted up for a reverse Trick-or-Treat event at his home Friday and Saturday, where people are asked to dress up in costumes and bring some of his favorite treats.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reverse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reverse
Verb
-
Lawyers also argued the conviction should be overturned because the verdict was tainted by the media attention and due to faulty instructions to the jury.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
6 Jan. 2026
-
In 2005, Yates’ conviction was overturned by the Texas Court of Appeals.—
Isabella Wandermurem,
Time,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Then for some reason the switch flipped, and then down the stretch a couple of good things happened.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
7 Jan. 2026
-
One strong gust of wind can be enough to flip one of these trailers onto its side.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
To the contrary, though the film is frequently funny, Brewer takes their ambitions and reversals seriously.—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
-
State officials said Thursday that the FBI would be solely in charge of Wednesday's deadly encounter, in a reversal from earlier beliefs that the probe would be a dual federal-state effort.—
Maggie Vespa,
NBC news,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The result is a workforce that is smaller, less dynamic, and aging faster, precisely when adaptation to technological change requires the opposite.—
Jane Sadowsky,
Fortune,
8 Nov. 2025
-
The two powerhouses were political opposites but became friends and cut deals.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The Magic played without Tristan da Silva (back spams) and Jalen Suggs, who missed a fourth straight game with a right knee contusion.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Backup running backs, including Jay Harris and Dierre Hill Jr, provided too little help for quarterback Dante Moore.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
As the distance from the source rises, the light intensity drops (that's the inverse part) but at a much faster rate.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Dec. 2025
-
This new tax would have the inverse effect — instead of raising revenue, many hosts will simply stop hosting, which means less tourism and tax revenue for the city.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
While multiple sources familiar with the holiday events deny online rumors that Mar-a-Lago threatened to revoke the memberships of guests who took photos of Barron over the holidays, insiders tell PEOPLE that there's an unspoken rule about how to treat the most private member of the first family.—
Linda Marx,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Colbert was sentenced to 25 years in prison in Orleans Parish in May, after a judge revoked her probation in a similar but unrelated case.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Backups Jaylon Moore and Wanya Morris suffered setbacks in subsequent weeks, pushing the Chiefs down to their last options at tackle on the depth chart.—
Jesse Newell,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
But just as everything falls into place, a work idea backfires, and the fallout cascades into heartbreak and career setbacks.—
Selome Hailu,
Variety,
5 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reverse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reverse. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share