REVERSE Synonyms: 117 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

reverse 1 of 3

verb

Definition of reverse next

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

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

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

status quo

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in back

a behind part or surface on the reverse of the ticket you'll find the notice that it's nontransferable

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

reverse

3 of 3

adjective

as in reversed

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

forward

as in inverse

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples 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

In 1900, engineers reversed the flow of the Chicago River, and 45 years before that, lawmakers decided to physically elevate the city from the swampland on which it was built. —

Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Jan. 2025 In the scene, the huge black dog wildly bites a New York pedestrian, then charges at Romy full speed before Samuel, out of nowhere, reverses the dog’s course with a single command. —

Fran Tirado, Them, 10 Jan. 2025

Noun

The night was a downhill slope, a movement in woeful reverse, a tidal pull back into the tumult and dangerous madness of what must now be called the era of Trump. —

Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 25 Dec. 2024 The motor company said the rearview camera image may freeze when the vehicle is in reverse. —

Ahjané Forbes, USA TODAY, 30 Dec. 2024

Adjective

Another excellent reverse image search tool that may turn up additional results. —

Kim Komando, USA TODAY, 9 Jan. 2025 There are just seven: Push (like with a chest press), pull (a row), hinge (a Romanian deadlift), squat (a goblet squat), single-leg (a reverse lunge), rotate (a wood-chop), and core stability (a plank). —

Christa Sgobba, SELF, 7 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for reverse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reverse

Verb

Evidence stored in the kits, sometimes for decades, allowed cold cases to be solved and wrongful convictions to be overturned.

— Sheila McClear, The Atlantic, 16 Jan. 2025
Fani Willis, a state prosecutor in Fulton County, Georgia, similarly charged Mr. Trump in a case related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results there.

— Henry Gass, The Christian Science Monitor, 16 Jan. 2025