adj. 1 opposite, contrary, inverse, converse; inverted, upside down, mirror, reversed, backward Now try turning the wheel in the reverse direction What appears on the retina is a reverse image, which the brain inverts.
v. 2 invert, overturn, turn upside down, turn topsy-turvy, turn over, up-end; exchange, change, interchange, transpose Using your finger to keep the mercury from running out, reverse the tube in the dish of mercury Perhaps the car will start if you reverse the leads to the battery. 3 overturn, overthrow, upset, set aside, quash, override, annul, nullify, vacate, abandon, revoke, negate, veto, declare null and void, disaffirm, invalidate, cancel, repeal, rescind, overrule, countermand, undo The superior tribunal reversed the decision of the lower-court judge 4 alter, change, modify; renounce, recant, take back Reverse the polarity of the wiring I reversed my opinion after hearing her sing. 5 back up, move or go backwards or US also backward, backtrack, Nautical make sternway You will be in the right spot if you reverse a yard or two
n. 6 opposite, contrary, converse, antithesis Whatever she tells you, I suggest you do the reverse 7 back, rear, wrong side, verso, underside; flip side, B-side; tail side Read what it says on the reverse 8 set-back, disappointment, misfortune, reversal, mishap, misadventure, trouble, problem, difficulty, vicissitude, adversity, defeat; disaster, catastrophe, débacle, rout, Colloq washout We suffered a temporary reverse or two in business, but we're all right now United suffered a humiliating reverse against Wanderers in the cup last week.