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

The July 8 ruling prevents law enforcement from being able to deport migrants who swim into the territories, reversing a practice of deporting them on the spot without a legal process. — Miguel MacIas, NPR, 1 Aug. 2026 According to Moore, Prosper reversed the discipline for Cody Wilson and Michael Zachary. — Kelsy Mittauer, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026

Noun

The synergy thesis that drives value in B2B services consolidation often works in reverse in consumer portfolios. — Gustaf Lundberg Toresson, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026 The design, available in six standard sizes, is handwoven from 100% Belgian linen flax and features a cotton-linen reverse. — Maria Conti, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 July 2026

Adjective

Erik hit a reverse GTS on Axiom followed by a double-team pop-up powerslam on Frazer. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026 That’s because reverse image searches now quickly can link photos to other places they can be found online, such as on social media posts that could share personal information. — Natasha Holt, FOXNews.com, 18 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for reverse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reverse

Verb

Calls range from people accidentally slipping into the river and overturned kayaks to boating emergencies and people intentionally entering the water.

— Darius Johnson, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
An overnight police chase in Miramar ended with a black SUV overturning into a Tesla dealership parking lot, injuring one and hospitalizing another, authorities say.

— Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of overturn

Verb

Special attention Democrats face an uphill climb to flip control of chambers at the Georgia Capitol or the congressional delegation in the midterms.

— Adam Beam, AJC.com, 3 Aug. 2026
But Democrat Brian Poindexter is a modest favorite to flip the seat if Miller remains his opponent amid the scandal.

— Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of flip

Noun

Offensive tackles have a good day Reserve offensive tackles Charlie Heck, Gottlieb Ayedze, Kevin Cline and Marques Cox had a good showing in Thursday’s 11-on-11 session of practice, a reversal from their recent fortunes.

— Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026
Key Background Trump over the weekend walked back threats to launch major attacks on Iran, part of a pattern of reversals throughout the course of conflict.

— Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of reversal

Noun

For Iran, this mixed messaging was the opposite of reassuring.

— Erik Lin-Greenberg, Foreign Affairs, 31 July 2026
In reality, several popular home projects can quietly do the opposite, adding square footage, glass or appliances without matching improvements to insulation, shade or HVAC capacity.

— Lauren Jarvis-Gibson July 30, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026

Definition of opposite

Noun

The British royal family’s official social media pages announced the news the day after the baby’s birth, sharing a photo of the little girl wearing a pink onesie featuring wings on the back and a hat, which was taken by her father.

— Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026
The story turns Hishem, on a customs officer on the Algerian-Tunisian border, who encounters Tesla, a donkey lost in the desert with headphones over his ears, with a bag of cocaine on his back.

— Annika Pham, Variety, 4 Aug. 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

An inverse kinematics controller coordinates the movements of the legs, allowing the robot to adjust its posture and move in different directions.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 24 July 2026
The stock appears to be stabilizing after a multi-month decline, with recent inverse head and shoulders pattern suggesting sellers may be running out of momentum.

— Tony Zhang, CNBC, 22 July 2026

Definition of inverse

Verb

Dissenting judges agreed, noting the law banning children at drag shows was passed amid questionable attempts by Florida officials to revoke liquor licenses from venues hosting them.

— Ana Goni Lessan, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2026
While those surgeries were canceled, the cases made headlines several years ago, prompting a spike in people around the country revoking their organ donor registrations.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of revoke

Browse Nearby Words

reversals

reverse

reversed

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Reverse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reverse. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of reverse

verb

noun

adjective

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