reverse
[verb]
Synonyms:
- turn round, invert, transpose, turn back, turn over, turn upside down, upend
- change, annul, cancel, countermand, invalidate, overrule, overthrow, overturn, quash, repeal, rescind, revoke, undo
- go backwards, back, back up, move backwards, retreat
[noun]
Synonyms:
- opposite, contrary, converse, inverse
- back, other side, rear, underside, wrong side
- misfortune, adversity, affliction, blow, disappointment, failure, hardship, misadventure, mishap, reversal, setback
[adjective]
Synonyms:
- opposite, contrary, converse

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Related Words: capsize, overturn, upset, exchange, interchange, shift, transfer

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

I. re‧verse¹ W3 AC /rɪˈvɜːs $ -ɜːrs/ verb
[Word Family: noun: reversal, reverse; adjective: reverse, reversible ≠ irreversible; verb: reverse]

1. OPPOSITE [transitive] to change something, such as a decision, judgment, or process so that it is the opposite of what it was before
reverse a decision/verdict/policy etc
The decision was reversed on appeal.
reverse a trend/process/decline etc
More changes are required to reverse the trend towards centralised power.

2. CAR [intransitive and transitive] especially British English if a vehicle or its driver reverses, they go backwards Synonym : back up American English
reverse out of/into etc
Bob reversed into a parking space.
reverse something into/out of something
I reversed the car into a side road.

3. CHANGE POSITION/PURPOSE [transitive] to change around the usual order of the parts of something, or the usual things two people do Synonym : swap
reverse roles/positions
Our roles as child and guardian had now been reversed.

4. TURN SOMETHING OVER [transitive] to turn something over or around, in order to show the back of it:
Reverse the paper in the printer.

5. reverse yourself American English to change your opinion or position in an argument:
Suddenly, he reversed himself completely.

6. reverse the charges British English to make a telephone call which is paid for by the person you are telephoning Synonym : call collect American English

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. reverse² AC noun
[Word Family: noun: reversal, reverse; adjective: reverse, reversible ≠ irreversible; verb: reverse]

1. OPPOSITE the reverse the exact opposite of what has just been mentioned
quite/just/precisely/exactly the reverse
I didn’t mean to insult her – quite the reverse (=in fact, I meant to praise her).
I owe you nothing. If anything, the reverse is true (=you owe me).

2. in reverse in the opposite way to normal or to the previous situation ⇒ vice versa:
US video recorders cannot play European tapes, and the same applies in reverse.

3. go into reverse/put something into reverse to start to happen or to make something happen in the opposite way:
The incident threatened to put the peace process into reverse.

4. CAR [uncountable] the position of the gears in a vehicle that makes it go backwards
into/in reverse
Put the car into reverse.

5. DEFEAT [countable] formal a defeat or a problem that delays your plans Synonym : setback:
Losing the Senate vote was a serious reverse for the President.

6. OTHER SIDE [singular] the less important side or the back of an object that has two sides
on the reverse
The British ten-pence coin has a lion on the reverse.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

III. reverse³ AC adjective [only before noun]
[Word Family: noun: reversal, reverse; adjective: reverse, reversible ≠ irreversible; verb: reverse]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: revers, from Latin reversus, past participle of revertere; ⇒ revert]

1. reverse order/situation/process etc the opposite order etc to what is usual or to what has just been stated:
The results were read out in reverse order (=with the worst first and the best last).

2. the reverse side the back of something

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

reverse
noun
I. opposite
ADJ. exact
VERB + REVERSE do If you tell children to do something, they will often do the exact reverse.
PREP. on the ~ (= on the opposite side) The coin has a date on one side and the emperor's head on the reverse.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

reverse
II. gear
VERB + REVERSE put sth in/into, throw sth into I put the car in reverse.
REVERSE + NOUN gear

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

reverse
III. problem
ADJ. major, serious
VERB + REVERSE experience, have, meet with, suffer Their forces have suffered serious reverses in recent months.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

reverse
verb
I. move backwards
ADV. carefully She carefully reversed the lorry up the narrow driveway.
slowly | in, out
PREP. into The car reversed into a hedge.
out of He reversed slowly out of the garage.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

reverse
II. change sth to the opposite
ADV. dramatically, radically | completely, exactly, totally The decline in this industry has now been completely reversed.
almost | partially, partly | simply To solve the puzzle, simply reverse the order of the numbers.
quickly, rapidly | suddenly
VERB + REVERSE seek to, try to | fail to

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

reverse

reverse a decision/ruling
The Supreme Court reversed the decision.
reverse your position (=change your opinion or attitude)
He spoke in favor of the bill, reversing his previous position.
reverse a policy
She is pressing the government to reverse its policy.
reverse a trend
Immigration has increased sharply and reversing this trend will be extremely difficult.
reverse a decline
His policies had reversed the decline in the economy.
reverse a process
We cannot reverse the ageing process.
reverse the effects of something
Hair conditioner can’t reverse the damaging effects of colouring and perming.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

reverse
rɪˈvə:s
See: double reverse , in reverse

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲