Reversal Indicator Words
Reversal indicators tell you to write a word or its letters backwards.
The letters of the wordplay are reversed. Indicators use the imagery of going back, returning, or turning over (and direction in down clues).
“Encounter swarm in retreat (4)”
Answer: MEET
Definition: "Encounter" — to come together with someone. "swarm" → TEEM (to be present in large numbers). "in retreat" signals a reversal. TEEM reversed gives MEET.
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68 words. Filter by theme or subtlety, or tap a word to see its full entry.
68 words
- about
- about-face
- about-turn
- around
- ascend
- back
- backtrack
- backward
- backwards
- bottoms up
- bring
- climb
- come
- contrarily
- contrary
- elevate
- flip
- go
- going west
- hold
- inside out
- invert
- kick
- leap
- left
- leftward
- lift
- look
- mount
- north
- northward
- over
- overturn
- pay
- put
- raise
- rebound
- rebuff
- recede
- reflect
- regress
- reject
- repel
- retire
- retreat
- return
- reverse
- rise
- send
- serve
- set
- soar
- spring
- switch
- take
- the other way
- the wrong way
- the wrong way round
- throw
- topsy-turvy
- turn
- up
- upside down
- upward
- upwards
- west
- westward
- withdraw
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