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
• 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

Related Words

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

Dissimilar Words

• forward

2

as in inverse

Related Words

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

Dissimilar Words

• 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

Crypto has reached a level of financial integration that could be difficult to reverse, with its future increasingly centered on establishing crypto as financial infrastructure. — Tanaya MacHeel, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026

The next Congress will face great pressure to reverse course and in doing so could shore up the historical norms of American civil-military relations. — Peter D. Feaver, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2026

Noun

Heated grips come as standard, while a reversible gearshift mechanism allows riders to switch to a race-style reverse shifting pattern for circuit use. — New Atlas, 23 Oct. 2026

San Francisco receiver Deebo Samuel took the ball from quarterback Brock Purdy but then flipped it to Jacob Cowing on a reverse. — Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2026

Adjective

One option when connecting a device to the open Internet is to route traffic through a reverse proxy, instead of using the default port 32400. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026

El Niño occurs naturally every few years, when the Pacific trade winds that typically blow westward — from the Americas to Southeast Asia — either slow down or reverse course. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 13 Oct. 2026