Reverse

/ɹɪvˈɜːs/

/ɹiˈvɝs/, /ɹɪˈvɝs/

Definition & Meaning of "reverse"

Reverse

NOUN

a gear in a vehicle's transmission system used to make it move backward

reverse gear

Example

She shifted into reverse to back out of the parking space.

He struggled to find reverse while trying to parallel park.

a relation or condition where two things are in direct opposition or contrast to each other

antithesis

contrary

inverse

opposite

Example

The reverse of love is often considered hate, showing a stark contrast.

The reverse of success is failure, a familiar concept in the business world.

a trick play in American football in which the ball is handed off to a player who runs in the opposite direction from the original runner

Example

The team executed a perfect reverse, catching the defense off guard.

The receiver ran a reverse and gained 20 yards before being tackled.

a complete change, resulting in a situation that is opposite to the previous one

reversal

turnabout

turnaround

Example

The fortunes of the team experienced a dramatic reverse in the final minutes of the game.

After the announcement, the company 's stock prices took a sudden reverse.

the back side of a coin, typically showing a design or image

tail

Example

The reverse of the coin showed a symbol of liberty.

She flipped the coin and stared at the reverse, waiting for her answer.

a problem or failure that prevents someone or something from achieving further success

obstacle

setback

Example

The company 's financial troubles became a reverse, stalling its expansion plans.

The sudden illness was a reverse that delayed his career advancements.

the other side or face of an object, especially when it contrasts with the one being viewed

back

Example

The address is printed on the reverse of the flyer.

He turned the paper over to read the reverse.

to reverse

VERB

to cause or maneuver a vehicle to move backward

back

Transitive: to reverse a vehicle

Example

The driver had to quickly reverse the car to avoid the oncoming traffic.

The worker had to reverse the conveyor belt to clear a jam in the production line.

to change something such as a process, situation, etc. to be the opposite of what it was before

change by reversal

Transitive: to reverse a process of decision

Example

The new administration decided to reverse the previous government's policy on environmental regulations.

The software update had unintended consequences, forcing the company to reverse the changes.

to turn something the other way round, up, or inside out

turn over

Transitive: to reverse sth

Example

Realizing he had worn his shirt inside out, he quickly reversed it before heading to the meeting.

She decided to reverse the pillow to its cooler side for a more comfortable night's sleep.

to alter a previous decision, judgment, etc. to the contrary one

overturn

Transitive: to reverse a verdict

Example

Upon appeal, the higher court decided to reverse the judge's ruling.

The regulatory body, acknowledging an oversight, opted to reverse the financial penalty.

to switch the roles, positions, or functions of two people or things

Transitive: to reverse roles or arrangements

Example

In the second round of the game, the players reversed roles to explore different strategies.

The teacher and student reversed positions to demonstrate the lesson in a new way.

to move in the opposite direction, typically backward

back

back up

Intransitive

Example

The truck reversed slowly down the narrow alley.

She reversed carefully to avoid hitting the parked car.

to create a design or text effect by rendering it in white or a lighter color against a solid or darker background

Example

The designer reversed the text out of a black rectangle for emphasis.

The logo was reversed on the brochure cover to make it stand out.

reverse

ADJECTIVE

moving or facing in the opposite direction, often toward the back

backward

rearward

Example

The reverse motion of the conveyor belt caused a jam in the production line.

The reverse direction of the wind pushed the sailboat backward.

having the function of altering a current state or direction to its opposite

inverse

opposite

Example

The reverse policy turned the recession into a period of growth.

The reverse reaction of the drug led to increased symptoms instead of relief.

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Definition & Meaning of "reverse"

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