C1verb2K

Reverse

UK /["/rɪˈvɜːs/","/rɪˈvɜːsɪz/","/rɪˈvɜːst/","/rɪˈvɜːsɪŋ/"]/US /["/rɪˈvɜːrs/","/rɪˈvɜːrsɪz/","/rɪˈvɜːrst/","/rɪˈvɜːrsɪŋ/"]/

Definition

to change something completely so that it is the opposite of what it was before

In simple words: To change something to go back to the way it was before.

Examples

To reverse the decision, the committee held an urgent meeting.
The engine can reverse the car in a matter of seconds.
We must reverse our strategy to address the emerging challenges.
He decided to reverse his stance after hearing the new evidence.
In mathematics, you can reverse the operation to find the original number.
To reverse a video, just click on the playback settings.
You can reverse the order of the list if needed.
The report will be reversed if the necessary corrections are not made.
It's interesting how emotions can reverse from happiness to sadness.
They managed to reverse the decline in sales through innovative marketing.

Usage notes

Use 'reverse' in both everyday conversation and formal writing when discussing changing direction or order. Avoid in overly casual settings or when referring to non-physical changes.

Grammar pattern

reverse + object

Memory hint

Think of a car 'reversing' back in a parking lot.

Collocations

dramatically
completely
exactly
seek to
try to
fail to
dramatically
completely
exactly
seek to
try to
fail to
slowly
in
out
into
out of

Synonyms

revoke

Antonyms

forward
advance

Common mistakes

Confused with 'inverse' which means opposite in mathematics.
Using 'reverse' as a noun instead of a verb.
Not using the correct tense; for example, saying 'reversed' instead of 'reverse' in present tense.