Opposite vs. Reverse — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 5, 2024
Opposite refers to something that is completely different or contrary in position, direction, or character, while reverse means to move backward or in the direction that is contrary to the normal or expected.
Difference Between Opposite and Reverse
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Opposite and reverse, though related in concept, are distinguished by their application and context. Opposite generally denotes a position, direction, or characteristic that is diametrically different from another. For example, the opposite sides of a coin, or opposite opinions in a debate, highlight contrast and opposition in position or viewpoint. Reverse, however, implies a backward motion or direction, or a return to a previous state or condition, as in a car moving in reverse gear or reversing a decision. This distinction suggests that "opposite" is broader, often used to describe abstract contrasts, while "reverse" is more specific, typically used in physical or temporal contexts.
When considering spatial orientation, opposite is used to describe locations or directions that are diametrically opposed to each other on a given axis or spectrum, such as opposite ends of a room. This usage emphasizes relative positioning rather than motion. Reverse, by contrast, suggests a movement away from a forward or standard direction, as when reversing the direction of a vehicle. This indicates a change in direction rather than a static position, pointing to a dynamic process rather than a fixed state.
In the realm of ideas, actions, or characteristics, opposite highlights polar differences in qualities or positions. It is often used to describe contrasting concepts, such as hot and cold, or conservative and liberal, which represent endpoints on a spectrum of possibilities. Reverse, on the other hand, connotes a flip or reversal of a current state or action, such as reversing a policy change or reversing trends, suggesting a return to a prior state or condition rather than the presence of intrinsic opposition.
The concept of reverse is frequently employed in technical and mechanical contexts, referring to operations or functions that proceed in the opposite direction to the usual or forward motion. This is observable in mechanisms like reverse gear in vehicles or reverse engineering, where the focus is on the direction of action rather than oppositional positioning. Conversely, opposite is more versatile, applicable in diverse contexts from spatial relationships to ideological standpoints, indicating its broader usage in describing contrast.
While opposite and reverse both imply a relationship with a reference point or standard, their implications for this relationship differ. Opposite suggests a relationship defined by contrast or opposition, whether in physical space, ideas, or characteristics. Reverse implies a movement or action that undoes or counteracts a forward or initial direction, underscoring the dynamic aspect of changing direction or state as opposed to static opposition.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Completely different or contrary in position, direction, or character.
Moving backward or undoing direction, position, or condition.
Application
Used to describe abstract contrasts and polar positions.
Typically used in physical, temporal, or procedural contexts.
Context
Spatial orientation, ideas, characteristics.
Direction of movement, changes in state or condition.
Implication
Static position or inherent contrast.
Dynamic process or action reversing a previous state.
Example Usage
Opposite opinions, opposite sides of a spectrum.
Reversing a decision, a car in reverse gear.
Compare with Definitions
Opposite
Describes polar differences in ideas or qualities.
Their views on the matter were opposite, leading to a heated debate.
Reverse
Connotes flipping or reversal of a current state or action.
The company decided to reverse its policy on remote work.
Opposite
Denotes a position, direction, or characteristic that is diametrically different from another.
The opposite side of the argument was equally compelling.
Reverse
Implies a backward motion or a return to a previous state or condition.
To solve the puzzle, one must reverse the last three steps.
Opposite
Emphasizes relative positioning without implying movement.
The opposite bank of the river seemed more serene and untouched.
Reverse
Indicates a process of change rather than a fixed state.
The government's efforts to reverse the trend were met with skepticism.
Opposite
Refers to locations or directions that are completely contrary.
He sat on the opposite end of the table to avoid conflict.
Reverse
Specifically refers to the action of moving in the opposite direction to the usual.
She had to reverse the car into the tight parking spot.
Opposite
Applicable in various contexts, from physical to ideological.
The two theories are opposite in nature, each proposing a different approach.
Reverse
Often used in mechanical or operational descriptions.
The engineer suggested reverse engineering the product to understand its flaws.
Opposite
Placed or located directly across from something else or from each other
Opposite sides of a building.
Reverse
Turned backward in position, direction, or order
The reverse side of the poster.
Opposite
Facing the other way; moving or tending away from each other
Opposite directions.
Reverse
Moving, acting, or organized in a manner contrary to the usual
In reverse order.
Opposite
Altogether different, as in nature, quality, or significance
The effect of the medication was opposite to that intended.
Reverse
Causing backward movement
A reverse gear.
Opposite
Sharply contrasting; antithetical
Had opposite views on the subject.
Reverse
(Printing) Printed in such a way that the normally colored part appears white against a colored or black background.
Opposite
Growing in pairs on either side of a stem
Opposite leaves.
Reverse
The opposite or contrary
All along we thought Sue was older than Bill, but just the reverse was true.
Opposite
Arranged on the same radius as another part, as stamens and petals.
Reverse
The back or rear part
The reverse of the flyer.
Opposite
One that is opposite or contrary to another.
Reverse
The side of a coin or medal that does not carry the principal design; the verso.
Opposite
An opponent or antagonist.
Reverse
A change to an opposite position, condition, or direction.
Opposite
An antonym.
Reverse
A change in fortune from better to worse; a setback
Suffered financial reverses.
Opposite
In an opposite position
They sat opposite at the table.
Reverse
A mechanism, such as a gear in a motor vehicle, that is used to reverse movement.
Opposite
Across from or facing
Parked the car opposite the bank.
Reverse
The position or operating condition of such a mechanism.
Opposite
In a complementary dramatic role to
He played opposite her.
Reverse
Movement in an opposite direction.
Opposite
Located directly across from something else, or from each other.
She saw him walking on the opposite side of the road.
Reverse
(Football) An offensive play in which a ball carrier running in one direction executes a handoff to a player running in the opposite direction.
Opposite
(botany) Of leaves and flowers, positioned directly across from each other on a stem.
Reverse
To turn around to the opposite direction
The wind reversed the weather vane.
Opposite
Facing in the other direction.
They were moving in opposite directions.
Reverse
To turn inside out or upside down
Reverse a jacket.
Opposite
Extremely different; inconsistent; contrary; repugnant; antagonistic.
Reverse
To exchange the positions of; transpose
Reversed the people on stage.
Opposite
Something opposite or contrary to something else.
Reverse
(Law) To change or set aside (a lower court's decision).
Opposite
A person or thing that is entirely different from or the reverse of someone or something else; used to show contrast between two people or two things.
She is the opposite of her ex-boyfriend who abused her both physically and verbally nearly every day for five years. She now works as an advocate and supportive listener for others who have endured abusive relationships.
Reverse
To cause to adopt a contrary viewpoint
Reversed himself during the campaign.
Opposite
An opponent.
Reverse
To change to the opposite
Reversed their planned course of action.
Opposite
An antonym.
"Up" is the opposite of "down".
Reverse
To cause (an engine or mechanism) to function in reverse.
Opposite
(mathematics) An additive inverse.
Reverse
To direct that (a charge) apply to the person receiving instead of making a telephone call.
Opposite
In an opposite position.
I was on my seat and she stood opposite.
Where's the bus station? -Over there, just opposite.
Reverse
To turn or move in the opposite direction.
Opposite
Facing, or across from.
He lives opposite the pub.
Reverse
To reverse the action of an engine.
Opposite
In a complementary role to.
He played opposite Marilyn Monroe.
Reverse
Opposite, contrary; going in the opposite direction.
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.
Opposite
(television) On another channel at the same time.
The game show Just Men! aired opposite The Young and the Restless on CBS.
Reverse
Pertaining to engines, vehicle movement etc. moving in a direction opposite to the usual direction.
He selected reverse gear.
Opposite
Placed over against; standing or situated over against or in front; facing; - often with to; as, a house opposite to the Exchange; the concert hall and the state theater stood opposite each other on the plaza.
Reverse
To be in the non-default position; to be set for the lesser-used route.
Opposite
Situated on the other end of an imaginary line passing through or near the middle of an intervening space or object; - of one object with respect to another; as, the office is on the opposite side of town; - also used both to describe two objects with respect to each other; as, the stores were on opposite ends of the mall.
Reverse
Turned upside down; greatly disturbed.
Opposite
Extremely different; inconsistent; contrary; repugnant; antagonistic.
Novels, by which the reader is misled into another sort of pleasure opposite to that which is designed in an epic poem.
Particles of speech have divers, and sometimes almost opposite, significations.
Reverse
(botany) Reversed.
A reverse shell
Opposite
Set over against each other, but separated by the whole diameter of the stem, as two leaves at the same node.
Reverse
(genetics) In which cDNA synthetization is obtained from an RNA template.
Opposite
One who opposes; an opponent; an antagonist.
The opposites of this day's strife.
Reverse
In a reverse way or direction; in reverse; upside-down.
Opposite
That which is opposed or contrary in character or meaning; as, sweetness and its opposite; up is the opposite of down.
The virtuous man meets with more opposites and opponents than any other.
Reverse
The opposite of something.
We believed the Chinese weren't ready for us. In fact, the reverse was true.
Opposite
Two words that express opposing concepts;
To him the opposite of gay was depressed
Reverse
The act of going backwards; a reversal.
Opposite
A relation of direct opposition;
We thought Sue was older than Bill but just the reverse was true
Reverse
A piece of misfortune; a setback.
Opposite
A contestant that you are matched against
Reverse
The tails side of a coin, or the side of a medal or badge that is opposite the obverse.
Opposite
Something inverted in sequence or character or effect;
When the direct approach failed he tried the inverse
Reverse
The side of something facing away from a viewer, or from what is considered the front; the other side.
Opposite
Being directly across from each other; facing;
And I on the opposite shore will be, ready to ride and spread the alarm
We lived on opposite sides of the street
At opposite poles
Reverse
The gear setting of an automobile that makes it travel backwards.
Opposite
Of leaves etc; growing in pairs on either side of a stem;
Opposite leaves
Reverse
A thrust in fencing made with a backward turn of the hand; a backhanded stroke.
Opposite
Moving or facing away from each other;
Looking in opposite directions
They went in opposite directions
Reverse
(surgery) A turn or fold made in bandaging, by which the direction of the bandage is changed.
Opposite
Altogether different in nature or quality or significance;
The medicine's effect was opposite to that intended
It is said that opposite characters make a union happiest
Reverse
(transitive) To turn something around so that it faces the opposite direction or runs in the opposite sequence.
To reverse the order of books on a shelf
To reverse a portion of video footage
Opposite
Characterized by opposite extremes; completely opposed;
In diametric contradiction to his claims
Diametrical (or opposite) points of view
Opposite meanings
Extreme and indefensible polar positions
Reverse
(transitive) To turn something inside out or upside down.
Opposite
Directly facing each other;
The two photographs lay face-to-face on the table
Lived all their lives in houses face-to-face across the street
They sat opposite at the table
Reverse
(transitive) To transpose the positions of two things.
Reverse
(transitive) To change totally; to alter to the opposite.
All trends reverse eventually.
Reverse
To return, come back.
Reverse
To turn away; to cause to depart.
Reverse
To cause to return; to recall.
Reverse
(legal) To revoke a law, or to change a decision into its opposite.
To reverse a judgment, sentence, or decree
Reverse
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.
Reverse
(chemistry) To change the direction of a reaction such that the products become the reactants and vice-versa.
Reverse
To place (a set of points) in the reverse position.
Reverse
To move from the normal position to the reverse position.
Reverse
To engage reverse thrust on (an engine).
Reverse
To overthrow; to subvert.
Reverse
(computing) reverse-engineer
Reverse
Turned backward; having a contrary or opposite direction; hence; opposite or contrary in kind; as, the reverse order or method.
Reverse
Turned upside down; greatly disturbed.
He found the sea diverseWith many a windy storm reverse.
Reverse
Reversed; as, a reverse shell.
Reverse
That which appears or is presented when anything, as a lance, a line, a course of conduct, etc., is reverted or turned contrary to its natural direction.
He did so with the reverse of the lance.
Reverse
That which is directly opposite or contrary to something else; a contrary; an opposite.
And then mistook reverse of wrong for right.
To make everything the reverse of what they have seen, is quite as easy as to destroy.
Reverse
The act of reversing; complete change; reversal; hence, total change in circumstances or character; especially, a change from better to worse; misfortune; a check or defeat; as, the enemy met with a reverse.
The strange reverse of fate you see;I pitied you, now you may pity me.
By a reverse of fortune, Stephen becomes rich.
Reverse
The back side; as, the reverse of a drum or trench; the reverse of a medal or coin, that is, the side opposite to the obverse. See Obverse.
Reverse
A thrust in fencing made with a backward turn of the hand; a backhanded stroke.
Reverse
A turn or fold made in bandaging, by which the direction of the bandage is changed.
Reverse
To turn back; to cause to face in a contrary direction; to cause to depart.
And that old dame said many an idle verse,Out of her daughter's heart fond fancies to reverse.
Reverse
To cause to return; to recall.
And to his fresh remembrance did reverseThe ugly view of his deformed crimes.
Reverse
To change totally; to alter to the opposite.
Reverse the doom of death.
She reversed the conduct of the celebrated vicar of Bray.
Reverse
To turn upside down; to invert.
A pyramid reversed may stand upon his point if balanced by admirable skill.
Reverse
Hence, to overthrow; to subvert.
These can divide, and these reverse, the state.
Custom . . . reverses even the distinctions of good and evil.
Reverse
To overthrow by a contrary decision; to make void; to under or annual for error; as, to reverse a judgment, sentence, or decree.
Reverse
To return; to revert.
Reverse
To become or be reversed.
Reverse
A relation of direct opposition;
We thought Sue was older than Bill but just the reverse was true
Reverse
The gears by which the motion of a machine can be reversed
Reverse
An unfortunate happening that hinders of impedes; something that is thwarting or frustrating
Reverse
The side of a coin or medal that does not bear the principal design
Reverse
(American football) a running play in which a back running in one direction hands the ball to a back running in the opposite direction
Reverse
Turning in the opposite direction
Reverse
Change to the contrary;
The trend was reversed
The tides turned against him
Public opinion turned when it was revealed that the president had an affair with a White House intern
Reverse
Turn inside out or upside down
Reverse
Rule against;
The Republicans were overruled when the House voted on the bill
Reverse
Annul by recalling or rescinding;
He revoked the ban on smoking
Lift an embargo
Vacate a death sentence
Reverse
Directed or moving toward the rear;
A rearward glance
A rearward movement
Reverse
Reversed (turned backward) in order or nature or effect
Reverse
Of the transmission gear causing backward movement in a motor vehicle;
In reverse gear
Common Curiosities
What does opposite mean in spatial terms?
In spatial terms, opposite refers to locations or directions that are completely contrary to each other on a given axis or plane.
Is reverse always related to physical movement?
While often related to physical movement, reverse can also refer to changes in state or condition, not solely physical movement.
What is an example of using opposite in a non-spatial context?
An example of opposite in a non-spatial context is using it to describe contrasting ideas, like optimism and pessimism, where the terms represent polar viewpoints.
How do opposite and reverse differ in their application?
Opposite is broader, used to describe abstract contrasts and polar positions, while reverse is more specific to physical, temporal, or procedural contexts.
Can the concepts of opposite and reverse be applied simultaneously?
Yes, in certain contexts, actions or characteristics can be both opposite (in terms of contrast) and reverse (indicating a change in direction or return to a previous state).
How does reverse gear in a vehicle illustrate the concept of reverse?
Reverse gear in a vehicle illustrates the concept of reverse by enabling the vehicle to move backward, opposing the forward motion that is considered the standard direction of travel.
Can a decision or action be both reversed and considered opposite?
A decision or action can be reversed, leading it back to a previous state, and it can also be considered opposite if it contrasts sharply with the initial direction or choice, illustrating both dynamics and contrast.
Can reverse imply a return to a previous condition?
Yes, reverse can imply a return to a previous condition, as in reversing a decision or reversing damage.
Can opposite refer to complementary concepts?
Yes, opposite can refer to complementary concepts, where two opposites, like day and night, work together to form a whole, showcasing their interdependent relationship.
How do opposite and reverse contribute to philosophical debates?
In philosophical debates, opposite and reverse contribute by framing discussions around contrasts, oppositions, and the nature of change, offering a nuanced understanding of concepts, ideologies, and the dynamics of transformation.
How does reverse relate to the concept of time?
Reverse relates to the concept of time when referring to actions that aim to revert conditions or situations to a previous state, as in efforts to reverse the effects of climate change.
Is it possible to physically reverse an object without changing its inherent characteristics?
Yes, it is possible to physically reverse an object, like rotating it 180 degrees, without changing its inherent characteristics, emphasizing a change in orientation or position.
What role does the concept of opposite play in mathematics?
In mathematics, the concept of opposite plays a role in defining inverse operations, like addition and subtraction, or in the positioning of numbers on the number line, where each number has an opposite value.
Can the use of opposite in discussions help in understanding perspectives?
Yes, using opposite in discussions can help in understanding and clarifying different perspectives by highlighting the contrasts and breadth of viewpoints on a topic.
How do reverse logistics work in the business world?
Reverse logistics in the business world refer to the process of moving goods from their final destination back to the manufacturer or distributor for returns, repairs, recycling, or disposal.
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Maham Liaqat
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
