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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

reverse

3 of 3

adjective

as in reversed

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

forward

as in inverse

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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

These changes would be enshrined in the law, as opposed to regulations that could more easily be reversed in the future, says NATHPO Executive Director Ira Matt, a citizen of the Salish Tribe. — Rachel Treisman, NPR, 15 Oct. 2026 Breaking these bonds apart simply reverses the process by breaking apart the peptide bond and a water molecule, and linking their parts. — ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026

Noun

Liberated from the genome, the sequence in the RNA copy is then reverse-transcribed into DNA at a different location. — Jake Buehler, Quanta Magazine, 21 Sep. 2026 Shaquille O’Neal first messaged Mac McClung a decade ago, when McClung was a seventeen-year-old living in Gate City, Virginia, scoring sixty points in a game and doing reverse-windmill dunks over future accountants and insurance adjusters. — Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026

Adjective

Difficult-to-reverse decisions also need strong controls, such as human review, deterministic rules, a traditional model or another independent validation mechanism. — Swati Deepak Kumar, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026 In both versions, the helm sits at the center of the main deck, protected by a wraparound windscreen with a reverse rake. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reverse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reverse

Verb

This caused the boat to overturn, sending everyone into the water.

— David Goodhue October 12, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026
The databases used to check citizenship against voter registration lists can be outdated, said Freda Levenson, legal director of the ACLU of Ohio, which has sued to overturn the law.

— Gary Fields, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of overturn

Verb

Because Sand has not served in a legislative capacity, he isn’t burdened by a controversial voting record on leftist policies, as is Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico, who is also trying to flip a red state seat.

— Gabrielle M. Etzel, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2026
Its latest annual Gboard experiment flips this dynamic on its head with moving keys that eventually roll into position right under your finger.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of flip

Noun

Inspired by Ektachrome, a color-reversal film stock widely used during the 1970s, this presentation allows viewers to immerse themselves into the vivid colors and style of the 1973 Easter Island landscape.

— Tanya Fedak, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
Kansas City, Missouri, could max out in the mid 70s on Thursday after topping 90 degrees Fahrenheit Tuesday — a nearly 20-degree reversal.

— Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of reversal

Noun

Even while dripping in haute couture, Edebiri somehow never appears stuffy or unapproachable — quite the opposite.

— Bianca Betancourt, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026
The current twins, Declonius and Salton, are feuding opposites, both of whom find ways to lure Batter into their schemes.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of opposite

Adjective

The first pulses concentrate enough energy into a tiny spot to heat a small region and create a reversed magnetic area.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2026
It’s not yet confirmed if the reversed look that was seen initially will be released at retail.

— Riley Jones, Footwear News, 6 May 2026

Definition of reversed

Adjective

Capacity ends up being allocated in a roughly inverse proportion to health, and health has nothing to do with importance.

— Manas Chaudhari, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026
On the daily chart, MOO has formed an imperfect but recognizable inverse head-and-shoulders pattern and decisively broken through resistance around $86-$87.

— Jay Woods, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of inverse

Verb

According to the producers, Casparina was in Beijing representing Indonesia at an international forum when her citizenship was revoked over her opposition to the new regime.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
Proposals that would reform Section 230 range from adding exceptions for extreme cases to revoking immunity for social media companies altogether.

— Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of revoke

Browse Nearby Words

reversals

reverse

reversed

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Style

“Reverse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reverse. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of reverse

verb

noun

adjective

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