revert

verb

re·​vert ri-ˈvərt How to pronounce revert (audio)
reverted; reverting; reverts
Synonyms of revertnext

intransitive verb

1
: to come or go back (as to a former condition, period, or subject)
2
: to return to the proprietor or his or her heirs at the end of a reversion
3
: to return to an ancestral type
reverter noun
revertible
ri-ˈvər-tə-bəl How to pronounce revert (audio)
adjective

Synonyms

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Examples of revert in a Sentence

after the national emergency had passed, the political parties abandoned their shotgun unity and reverted to their partisan squabbling
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.
The group of charities are calling on the government to revert this evidence threshold, as well as cutting time limits for people to submit reconsideration and afford them better access to information and legal advice. — Frey Lindsay, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025 But Trump reverted back to the 2020 guidance during his first administration. — Jessika Harkay, Hartford Courant, 17 Mar. 2025 Catch up fast: If the House doesn't act, D.C. will have to revert back to the previous fiscal year's funding levels — a reduction that officials have warned would affect police, schools, and other departments. — Mimi Montgomery, Axios, 17 Mar. 2025 The two teams face off in Colorado Springs on Saturday, but DU secured the pan because a tie in the series reverts back to the current holder of the trophy. — Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 7 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for revert

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French revertir, from Latin revertere, transitive verb, "to turn back" & reverti, intransitive verb, "to return, come back," from re- + vertere, verti "to turn" — more at worth

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Phrases Containing revert

Rhymes for revert

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Browse Nearby Words

revert
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Cite this Entry

“Revert.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/revert. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

revert

verb
re·​vert ri-ˈvərt How to pronounce revert (audio)
1
: to come or go back
reverted to the customs of their ancestors
2
: to experience reversion

Medical Definition

revert

intransitive verb
re·​vert ri-ˈvərt How to pronounce revert (audio)
: to undergo reversion
revertible
-ˈvərt-ə-bəl How to pronounce revert (audio)
adjective

Legal Definition

revert

intransitive verb
re·​vert ri-ˈvərt How to pronounce revert (audio)
1
: to come or go back (as to a former status or state)
if the donee of a general power fails to exercise it…the appointive assets revert to the donor's estate— W. M. McGovern, Jr. et al.
2
: to return to the grantor or his or her heirs as a reversion
revertible
-ˈvər-tə-bəl How to pronounce revert (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on revert

Nglish: Translation of revert for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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