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
Other companies reversed course on diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 23 Jan. 2025 After his inauguration on Monday, President Trump signed a slew of executive orders reversing policies instituted by his predecessor Joe Biden, such as commitments to fight climate change. Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 23 Jan. 2025
Noun
Many felt O’Neil should have been sacked after a 5-3 beating at Brentford in early October, or at the very least following a humiliating 4-0 reverse away to Everton, the second-lowest scorers in the league, two months later. Tim Spiers, The Athletic, 23 Dec. 2024 Of course, this often happens in reverse, and negativity can spread across the internet, making life hard for all those involved. Callum Booth, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
Adjective
The Lewis recruit scored the opening basket in the first quarter Friday night and then closed out a dramatic run during the third quarter with an identical reverse high-flying, all-oop dunk. Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 18 Jan. 2025 The researcher was able to exploit a multitude of different things, including reverse engineering, side-channel analysis and electromagnetic fault-injection in order to achieve code execution on the ACE3. Davey Winder, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for reverse 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reverse
Verb
  • But Levenson isn’t convinced that this new evidence would be enough to overturn the Menendezes’s 1996 convictions.
    Christine Pelisek, People.com, 29 Jan. 2025
  • One concerned Trump's actions related to the January 6, 2021, riot at the United States Capitol and his attempts to overturn the 2020 election.
    Gabe Whisnant, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The new Trump administration is using the language of civil rights but flipping it on its head.
    Veralyn Williams, NPR, 31 Jan. 2025
  • While the East Team is looking to flip the script this time around, the West's roster is stacked with big-time playmakers looking to make their mark.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Throughout the government, new appointees have been touting their reversals of diversity standards—the signal feature of what has been a rapid two-week effort to remake the preëxisting bureaucracy with an America First agenda.
    Benjamin Wallace-Wells, The New Yorker, 2 Feb. 2025
  • Zoom in: Local leaders and nonprofits, like the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay and Metro Inclusive Health, breathed a sigh of relief after the reversal.
    Yacob Reyes, Axios, 31 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Without this reform, many energy projects would be delayed for years, if not decades—the opposite of energy dominance.
    Raul A. Reyes, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
  • The other side of the coin Which is the opposite of what happens in low-resource communities.
    Kamala Thiagarajan, NPR, 22 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Defensive backs coach Aubrey Pleasant will interview with the Chicago Bears for their defensive coordinator job, McVay said.
    Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025
  • Just ask these stars, all of whom struggled to produce against the All-Pro defensive back.
    Ryan McFadden, The Denver Post, 11 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The innie and the outie are the same person, with the same temperament, but with no memory or recollection of the inverse world, and presumably none of the emotional baggage.
    Diana Budds, Curbed, 24 Jan. 2025
  • This illustrates a powerful inverse relationship: The greater trust that people have in their institutions, the less grievance a society has.
    Richard Edelman, TIME, 19 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The order calls for revoking all DEI mandates, policies, preferences and activities, along with the review and revision of existing employment practices, union contracts and training policies or programs, the Associated Press reported.
    Mars King, Twin Cities, 31 Jan. 2025
  • Still, Hernández couldn’t fathom that TPS really would be revoked for everyone.
    Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 31 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Trump had his first big flop Punctuating the week was the Trump administration’s first big policy setback: the abrupt freeze, and then unfreezing, of federal grant funds amid a public revolt.
    Will Weissert, Chicago Tribune, 2 Feb. 2025
  • The World Bank has warned that without health investments many developing countries will face serious setbacks in human capital development, poverty reduction, and economic growth.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near reverse

Cite this Entry

“Reverse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reverse. Accessed 7 Feb. 2025.

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