Converse vs. Reverse — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 15, 2024
Converse refers to talking or exchanging ideas, while reverse means to move backward or to the opposite direction or position.
Difference Between Converse and Reverse
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Converse involves engaging in conversation or communication, where ideas, thoughts, or information are exchanged between individuals. Whereas, reverse deals with changing direction to the opposite, such as reversing a car or reversing a decision.
The term converse can also denote the logical inverse in mathematics, exemplifying an opposite relationship between statements. On the other hand, reverse can signify the act of overturning or negating a condition or state, like reversing a ruling or reversing a trend.
Converse implies interaction and often requires a dialogue or discussion format, fostering understanding or debate. Conversely, reverse can imply a retreat or withdrawal from a previous position or state, often undoing or altering the conditions that existed before.
In linguistics, to converse means to engage actively in spoken language or discourse. In contrast, reverse in the same context might mean to backtrack in a conversation or to reconsider previously stated opinions.
Using converse in everyday life typically involves interpersonal communication, which is essential for social bonding and information exchange. Reverse, however, often involves a correction or change in physical direction, strategy, or opinion, reflecting adaptability or response to error.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Engage in conversation or opposite relation in logic.
Move backward or change to the opposite direction.
Application
Communication, dialogue, logical relationships.
Directional change, decision modification.
Context
Social interaction, mathematical logic.
Physical movement, strategic decisions.
Purpose
Exchange of ideas, fostering understanding.
Correction, adaptation, or strategic shift.
Outcome
Enhanced communication, shared understanding.
Change in previous state, reversal of actions.
Compare with Definitions
Converse
The opposite or logical inverse of something.
In logic, the converse of a conditional statement reverses its terms.
Reverse
To turn something around to the opposite direction.
Reverse the jacket to reveal the lining.
Converse
Engaging in dialogue to solve problems.
The committee convened to converse on the pressing issues.
Reverse
A change to the opposite in position, order, or nature.
A reverse in policy was unexpected.
Converse
The act of verbal communication between individuals.
Good leaders converse with their teams regularly.
Reverse
Acting in the opposite way; contrary.
The effects of the new law were the reverse of what was intended.
Converse
To talk informally; chat.
The friends would converse over coffee each morning.
Reverse
Turned backward in position, direction, or order
The reverse side of the poster.
Converse
To engage in an exchange of thoughts and feelings by means of speech or sign language.
Reverse
Moving, acting, or organized in a manner contrary to the usual
In reverse order.
Converse
(Archaic) To interact socially with others; associate.
Reverse
Causing backward movement
A reverse gear.
Converse
An interchange of thoughts and feelings by means of speech or sign language; conversation.
Reverse
(Printing) Printed in such a way that the normally colored part appears white against a colored or black background.
Converse
Social interaction.
Reverse
The opposite or contrary
All along we thought Sue was older than Bill, but just the reverse was true.
Converse
Something that has been reversed; an opposite.
Reverse
The back or rear part
The reverse of the flyer.
Converse
(Logic) A proposition obtained by conversion.
Reverse
The side of a coin or medal that does not carry the principal design; the verso.
Converse
Reversed, as in position, order, or action; contrary.
Reverse
A change to an opposite position, condition, or direction.
Converse
To talk; to engage in conversation.
Reverse
A change in fortune from better to worse; a setback
Suffered financial reverses.
Converse
(followed by with) To keep company; to hold intimate intercourse; to commune.
Reverse
A mechanism, such as a gear in a motor vehicle, that is used to reverse movement.
Converse
(obsolete) To have knowledge of (a thing), from long intercourse or study.
Reverse
The position or operating condition of such a mechanism.
Converse
Free verbal interchange of thoughts or views; conversation; chat.
Reverse
Movement in an opposite direction.
Converse
The opposite or reverse.
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.
Converse
(logic) Of a proposition or theorem of the form: given that "If A is true, then B is true", then "If B is true, then A is true.".
All trees are plants, but the converse, that all plants are trees, is not true.
Reverse
To turn around to the opposite direction
The wind reversed the weather vane.
Converse
(semantics) One of a pair of terms that name or describe a relationship from opposite perspectives; converse antonym; relational antonym.
Reverse
To turn inside out or upside down
Reverse a jacket.
Converse
Opposite; reversed in order or relation; reciprocal
A converse proposition
Reverse
To exchange the positions of; transpose
Reversed the people on stage.
Converse
To keep company; to hold intimate intercourse; to commune; - followed by with.
To seek the distant hills, and there converseWith nature.
Conversing with the world, we use the world's fashions.
But to converse with heaven -This is not easy.
Reverse
(Law) To change or set aside (a lower court's decision).
Converse
To engage in familiar colloquy; to interchange thoughts and opinions in a free, informal manner; to chat; - followed by with before a person; by on, about, concerning, etc., before a thing.
CompanionsThat do converse and waste the time together.
We had conversed so often on that subject.
Reverse
To cause to adopt a contrary viewpoint
Reversed himself during the campaign.
Converse
To have knowledge of, from long intercourse or study; - said of things.
According as the objects they converse with afford greater or less variety.
Reverse
To change to the opposite
Reversed their planned course of action.
Converse
Frequent intercourse; familiar communion; intimate association.
"T is but to holdConverse with Nature's charms, and view her stores unrolled.
Reverse
To cause (an engine or mechanism) to function in reverse.
Converse
Familiar discourse; free interchange of thoughts or views; conversation; chat.
Formed by thy converse happily to steerFrom grave to gay, from lively to severe.
Reverse
To direct that (a charge) apply to the person receiving instead of making a telephone call.
Converse
A proposition which arises from interchanging the terms of another, as by putting the predicate for the subject, and the subject for the predicate; as, no virtue is vice, no vice is virtue.
Reverse
To turn or move in the opposite direction.
Converse
A proposition in which, after a conclusion from something supposed has been drawn, the order is inverted, making the conclusion the supposition or premises, what was first supposed becoming now the conclusion or inference. Thus, if two sides of a sides of a triangle are equal, the angles opposite the sides are equal; and the converse is true, i.e., if these angles are equal, the two sides are equal.
Reverse
To reverse the action of an engine.
Converse
Turned about; reversed in order or relation; reciprocal; as, a converse proposition.
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.
Converse
A proposition obtained by conversion
Reverse
Pertaining to engines, vehicle movement etc. moving in a direction opposite to the usual direction.
He selected reverse gear.
Converse
Carry on a conversation
Reverse
To be in the non-default position; to be set for the lesser-used route.
Converse
Of words so related that one reverses the relation denoted by the other;
`parental' and `filial' are converse terms
Reverse
Turned upside down; greatly disturbed.
Converse
Turned about in order or relation;
Transposed letters
Reverse
(botany) Reversed.
A reverse shell
Converse
To engage in spoken exchange of thoughts, ideas, or feelings.
They often converse about their future plans.
Reverse
(genetics) In which cDNA synthetization is obtained from an RNA template.
Reverse
In a reverse way or direction; in reverse; upside-down.
Reverse
The opposite of something.
We believed the Chinese weren't ready for us. In fact, the reverse was true.
Reverse
The act of going backwards; a reversal.
Reverse
A piece of misfortune; a setback.
Reverse
The tails side of a coin, or the side of a medal or badge that is opposite the obverse.
Reverse
The side of something facing away from a viewer, or from what is considered the front; the other side.
Reverse
The gear setting of an automobile that makes it travel backwards.
Reverse
A thrust in fencing made with a backward turn of the hand; a backhanded stroke.
Reverse
(surgery) A turn or fold made in bandaging, by which the direction of the bandage is changed.
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
Reverse
(transitive) To turn something inside out or upside down.
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
Reverse
To go backward or cause to move backward.
She had to reverse the car to exit the parking space.
Reverse
To overturn or annul an earlier decision or state.
The court decided to reverse the previous judgment.
Common Curiosities
Can a decision be both reversed and conversed about?
Yes, a decision can be discussed (conversed about) and potentially reversed based on the outcome of the discussion.
How does the logical use of converse differ from everyday conversation?
In logic, converse refers to a specific relationship where elements are reversed, unlike everyday conversation that involves exchanging verbal or written information.
What does it mean to converse with someone?
To converse with someone means to engage in a spoken or written exchange of ideas or information.
What are the social implications of regular conversation?
Regular conversation can strengthen relationships, enhance understanding, and promote cultural exchange and empathy among individuals.
What techniques are used in reversing a car safely?
Techniques include using mirrors, checking blind spots, using a reverse camera if available, and moving slowly and steadily.
What are common situations where one might need to reverse?
Common situations include reversing a vehicle, reversing a decision, or reversing the order of items.
How does the ability to reverse decisions impact business?
The ability to reverse decisions allows businesses to adapt to changing circumstances and correct past mistakes, enhancing flexibility and responsiveness.
What might cause a company to reverse a strategic decision?
Causes might include new market research, economic changes, feedback from stakeholders, or failures in initial outcomes.
Is reversing always a physical action?
No, reversing can also refer to changing opinions, decisions, or the direction of policies, not just physical actions.
How does one improve their conversational skills?
Improving conversational skills can be achieved through active listening, practicing empathy, expanding topics of knowledge, and engaging with diverse groups of people.
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Written by
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.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
