inverse

1 of 2

adjective

in·​verse (ˌ)in-ˈvərs How to pronounce inverse (audio)
ˈin-ˌvərs
1
: opposite in order, nature, or effect
2
: being an inverse function
inverse sine

inverse

2 of 2

noun

1
: something of a contrary nature or quality : opposite, reverse
2
: a proposition or theorem formed by contradicting both the subject and predicate or both the hypothesis and conclusion of a given proposition or theorem
the inverse of "if A then B" is "if not-A then not-B"
compare contrapositive
3
a
: inverse function
also : an operation (such as subtraction) that undoes the effect of another operation
b
: a set element that is related to another element in such a way that the result of applying a given binary operation to them is an identity element of the set

Examples of inverse in a Sentence

Adjective Addition and subtraction are inverse operations. Noun the inverse of your argument
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
However, the traditional belief that the U.S. dollar and gold have an inverse relationship still prevails. Emily Chang, ABC News, 5 Mar. 2025 Meanwhile, the worst-performing sectors were real estate, which fell 1.07%; health care, which fell 0.52%; and consumer staples, which did an inverse James Bond to close down by 0.07%. Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
Noun
In some ways, this show is like the inverse of WandaVision, which started out so strong but fizzled out in the end. Erik Kain, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024 Or, its related inverse, does this have the potential to harm public safety? New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for inverse

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, turned upside down, from Latin inversus, from past participle of invertere

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1658, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of inverse was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inverse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inverse. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

inverse

1 of 2 adjective
in·​verse (ˈ)in-ˈvərs How to pronounce inverse (audio)
ˈin-vərs
1
: opposite in order, nature, or effect
an inverse relationship between interest rates and houses sold
2
: being a mathematical operation opposite in effect to another
addition and subtraction are inverse operations

inverse

2 of 2 noun
in·​verse
ˈin-ˌvərs,
(ˈ)in-ˈvərs
: something inverse or resulting in or from inversion

More from Merriam-Webster on inverse

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