Synonym Chooser

How does the verb transpose contrast with its synonyms?

The words invert and reverse are common synonyms of transpose. While all three words mean "to change to the opposite position," transpose implies a change in order or relative position of units often through exchange of position.

transposed the letters to form an anagram

When could invert be used to replace transpose?

The synonyms invert and transpose are sometimes interchangeable, but invert applies chiefly to turning upside down or inside out.

the number 9 looks like an inverted 6

In what contexts can reverse take the place of transpose?

The words reverse and transpose can be used in similar contexts, but reverse is the most general term and may imply change in order, side, direction, meaning.

reversed his position on the trade agreement

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 transpose Where Drive Away Dolls was set in 1999 across the South, Coen and Cooke here transpose their project to Bakersfield, California, in the present day. Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 26 Aug. 2025 Many of today’s studio photographers favor the ease of Photoshop: newlyweds who come in for wedding pictures can choose to be digitally transposed in front of the Eiffel Tower, the Taj Mahal, or Egyptian pyramids. M. Z. Adnan, New Yorker, 23 Aug. 2025 The film is intended as a homage to 1940s and ’50s detective noir films, cleverly transposing those aesthetics onto modern-day Bakersfield, California. James Factora, Them., 21 Aug. 2025 Clothes like T-shirts, shorts, coats and dresses would be photographed and transposed onto an online model. Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 31 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for transpose
Recent Examples of Synonyms for transpose
Verb
  • The campaign, represented by L’Oréal International Distribution (LID) and Global SS Beauty Brands, pays tribute to India’s beloved marigold — an essential part of any celebration — while integrating Armani’s signature red tones to transform the mall’s exterior.
    Mayu Saini, Footwear News, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Even as the Five Points neighborhood has transformed—an old house that once held a coffee shop replaced by a sleek new restaurant, and a Jeni’s ice cream shop added down the block—inside this old-fashioned pharmacy, little has changed.
    Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Crews have made progress removing hazardous materials and explosives from the massive scene, according to Jamey VanVliet, special agent in charge with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ Nashville Field Division.
    Isabel Rosales, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Trump ultimately activated the National Guard and federal agents later in August to deter crime, clear homeless encampments, and remove trash in public areas.
    David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The cells convert natural gas, hydrogen, or biogas into electricity through a clean electro-chemical process rather than dirty combustion.
    Jordan Blum, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2025
  • The system mimics how the human body generates energy from food, using enzymes and natural molecules to convert glucose into usable power.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Green’s 49-yard run scramble moved the Razorbacks to the Texas A&M 39 just before the 2-minute timeout of the fourth quarter.
    Matt Jones, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Calderhead focuses on the British tactic, enacted two days after the initial attack, of moving their fleet into Flushing Bay to anchor for the night.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The Sitakes landed in the Bay Area briefly before relocating to Provo to be closer to extended family.
    Christopher Kamrani, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
  • During an April 2024 interview with Vanity Fair Spain, Richard opened up about why the pair made the decision to relocate to Spain, where his wife is originally from.
    Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Holt, who has six cases pending in federal court over civil rights violation claims, said as soon as he was transferred, the state began trying to get the cases dismissed as moot, citing his relocation to West Virginia.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Statistics shared on their website shows that only approximately 2 million dogs were adopted last year, 554,000 were returned to their owner, 524,000 were transferred to other organizations, and 334,000 were euthanized.
    Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The concern is now shifted to faster growth deceleration and potentially larger CPI headwinds.
    Michael Bloom, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2025
  • After the arrests, power shifted toward Daniel.
    Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Transpose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/transpose. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

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