Pronunciations (4)
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/ɹɪˈvɜːs/
Pronunciation notes
- UK
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/ɹɪˈvɝs/
Pronunciation notes
- US
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ɹɪˈvɜːs
Pronunciation notes
- GB
-
ɹɪˈvɝs
Pronunciation notes
- US
Adjective
Opposite, contrary; going in the opposite direction.
Usage- not-comparable
- Examples
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We ate the meal in reverse order, starting with dessert and ending with the starter.
The mirror showed us a reverse view of the scene.
Pertaining to engines, vehicle movement etc. moving in a direction opposite to the usual direction.
Usage- not-comparable
- Examples
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He selected reverse gear.
To be in the non-default position; to be set for the lesser-used route.
Usage- not-comparable
- of points
Turned upside down; greatly disturbed.
Usage- not-comparable
Reversed.
Usage- not-comparable
- Examples
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a reverse shell
In which cDNA synthetization is obtained from an RNA template.
Usage- not-comparable
Adverb
In a reverse way or direction; in reverse; upside-down.
Usage- Archaic
- not-comparable
- Synonyms
- Examples
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The man was killed to feed his image fat / Within this pictured world that ran reverse, / Where miracles alone were ever plain.
Noun
The opposite of something.
- Examples
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Division is the reverse of multiplication.
The Sun doesn't orbit the Earth—quite the reverse, in fact.
The act of going backwards; a reversal.
- Examples
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By a reverse of fortune, Stephen becomes rich.
A piece of misfortune; a setback.
- Examples
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And the cold truth such sad reverse did seem As to awake in grief from some delightful dream.
Simon Forman was notorious in his day, and was a many of many reverses.
More examples (1)
In fact, though the Russians did not yet know it, the British had met with a reverse.
The tails side of a coin, or the side of a medal or badge that is opposite the obverse.
The side of something facing away from a viewer, or from what is considered the front; the other side.
The gear setting of an automobile that makes it travel backwards. (Denoted with symbol R on a shifter's labeling.)
- Synonyms
- Broader terms
- Examples
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I shifted into reverse and was just about to back up when our silly cat walked behind the car! Honk honk, kitty! Get out of there!
A thrust in fencing made with a backward turn of the hand; a backhanded stroke.
- Examples
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but first , master see thee pass thy punto , thy stock , thy reverse , thy guest
A turn or fold made in bandaging, by which the direction of the bandage is changed.
Synonym of transpose.
Verb
To turn something around so that it faces the opposite direction or runs in the opposite sequence.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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to reverse the order of books on a shelf
to reverse a portion of video footage
To turn something inside out or upside down.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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A pyramid reversed may stand upon his point if balanced by admirable skill.
To transpose the positions of two things.
Usage- Transitive
To change totally; to alter to the opposite.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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All trends reverse eventually.
Reverse the doom of death.
More examples (1)
They reversed the conduct of the celebrated vicar of Bray.
To return, come back.
Usage- Intransitive
- Obsolete
- Examples
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Bene they all dead, and laide in dolefull herse? / Or doen they onely sleepe, and shall againe reuerse?
To turn away; to cause to depart.
Usage- Obsolete
- Transitive
- Examples
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And that old dame said many an idle verse, / Out of her daughter's heart fond fancies to reverse.
To cause to return; to recall.
Usage- Obsolete
- Transitive
- Examples
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And to his fresh remembrance did reverse / The ugly view of his deformd crimes.
To revoke a law, or to change a decision into its opposite.
- Examples
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to reverse a judgment, sentence, or decree
More examples (1)
From March 30, LNER was running around 40% of its trains and had suspended its Aberdeen, Inverness and Hull services, although it reversed the latter decision after Hull Trains suspended operations.
To cause a mechanism to operate or move in the opposite direction to normal; to drive a vehicle in the direction the driver has the back.
Usage- ergative
- Examples
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More examples (1)
Richardson dropped into the six-foot between the two engines, ran for a few yards, grabbed Mitchell's engine, and swung himself up. Mitchell had got to his feet by this time, but he made no move. Richardson shut off steam, reversed her, and brought her to a stand.
Passengers said the train had to reverse from Hsinshih (新市) in Tainan County to Liuchiao (六腳) in Chiayi County before moving forward again.
To change the direction of a reaction such that the products become the reactants and vice-versa.
To place (a set of points) in the reverse position.
Usage- Transitive
To move from the normal position to the reverse position.
Usage- Intransitive
- of points
To engage reverse thrust on (an engine).
Usage- Transitive
To overthrow; to subvert.
- Examples
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These can divide, and these reverse, the state.
Custom […] reverses even the distinctions of good and evil.
Adjective
directed or moving toward the rear
- Synonyms
- Examples
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a rearward glance
a rearward movement
of the transmission gear causing backward movement in a motor vehicle
- Antonyms
- Examples
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in reverse gear
reversed (turned backward) in order or nature or effect
- Synonyms
Noun
a relation of direct opposition
- Broader terms
- Examples
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we thought Sue was older than Bill but just the reverse was true
the gears by which the motion of a machine can be reversed
- Synonyms
- Broader terms
an unfortunate happening that hinders or impedes; something that is thwarting or frustrating
- Broader terms
the side of a coin or medal that does not bear the principal design
- Synonyms
- Antonyms
- Broader terms
(American football) a running play in which a back running in one direction hands the ball to a back running in the opposite direction
- Broader terms
turning in the opposite direction
- Broader terms
Verb
change to the contrary
- Synonyms
- Broader terms
- Examples
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The trend was reversed
the tides turned against him
More examples (1)
public opinion turned when it was revealed that the president had an affair with a White House intern
turn inside out or upside down
rule against
- Examples
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The Republicans were overruled when the House voted on the bill
cancel officially
- Broader terms
- Examples
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He revoked the ban on smoking
lift an embargo
More examples (1)
vacate a death sentence
reverse the position, order, relation, or condition of
- Synonyms
- Broader terms
- Examples
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when forming a question, invert the subject and the verb