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

Among women taking oral contraceptives, however, that preference was reversed. — Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026 That reversed path from discovery to purchase is what turns casual scrolling into a shopping opportunity before the viewer ever planned to buy. — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026

Noun

Three colorways have been revealed, including one with a stealthy reverse LCD. — Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 11 Aug. 2026 Yes, high-quality micro-mesh and reverse-curve guards are engineered to handle heavy rainfall without overflowing, provided the underlying gutters are pitched correctly. — Nick Perry, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026

Adjective

On the other hand, reverse decluttering puts your focus solely on the positive—the things that actively serve your life right now. — Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Aug. 2026 Homes can be visually inspected for compliance from the outside, and enclosing the ground level area for living space after the home is constructed and approved for occupancy would draw a reverse work order. — Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 8 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reverse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reverse

Verb

But if the stay is lifted or overturned, USPS would require states to submit lists of mail ballot recipients and get approval for envelope and ballot designs with individualized barcodes.

— Peter Weber, TheWeek, 2 Sep. 2026
Bans can last five to 10 years, and some have been successfully overturned in court, lawyers say.

— Daniel Estrin, NPR, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of overturn

Noun

Behind the numbers One factor behind the decline in overdose deaths may be wider availability of the opioid overdose reversal drug naloxone.

— Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 3 Sep. 2026
Herzog’s fiction narratives haven’t been nearly as successful as his documentaries for some time now, which is a reversal from the early years.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of reversal

Noun

But other horses like that, or those that are completely the opposite, don’t have Gold Phoenix’s success rate or longevity.

— Jay Posner, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
The incentive for them is the opposite of what our forests need — protecting old, established trees that will survive pests and fire.

— Megan Schrader, Denver Post, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of opposite

Noun

Going into the summer, recruiting a left-back was on the agenda, though Newcastle feel Dedic and Livramento’s ability to play down both flanks provides enough cover.

— George Caulkin, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Lucas fired four gunshots into Piper's back, and Rice and Byrd ran inside to call for help, court records say.

— Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of back

Adjective

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
As the number of reversed-conviction lawsuits exploded over the past decade, the city spread most of the work around a dozen firms, who deployed more than 200 attorneys in all plus another 200-plus support staffers.

— Joe Mahr, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026

Definition of reversed

Adjective

Emanuel said that the number of stocks on his Negative Beta list — those with an inverse correlation to the S & P 500 over the past six months — has climbed to a record 121.

— Fred Imbert, CNBC, 17 Aug. 2026
Geomorphologists are now considering why Hack’s law should apply in this inverse context.

— Natalie Wolchover, Quanta Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of inverse

Verb

Then-President Joe Biden in 2022 granted Chevron a permit to operate in Venezuela — a license Trump revoked in March but later reissued on condition that no proceeds went to the Maduro government.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026
According to online court records, Romo's license will be revoked for six months and he will be required to pay a fine of $784.

— Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of revoke

Browse Nearby Words

reversals

reverse

reversed

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Reverse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reverse. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of reverse

verb

noun

adjective

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