conversely
Britishadverb
Explanation
The word conversely is an adverb that means "the opposite" or "on the other hand." It is often used to introduce an idea that is different from one stated before. You say the photo is a fake. Conversely, the photographer claims it's real. The adverb conversely has its origin in the Latin word convertere, which means "to turn about." In the following quote by Journalist Andy Rooney note how the word balances the two sentences: "The closing of a door can bring blessed privacy and comfort - the opening, terror. Conversely, the closing of a door can be a sad and final thing - the opening a wonderfully joyous moment."
Vocabulary lists containing conversely
"Deep Survival," Vocabulary from the science writing
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"Deep Survival" by Laurence Gonzales
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How Dare the Sun Rise
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
And conversely, industrial businesses moved into working-class neighborhoods because the land was cheaper and the zoning sometimes iffy.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 15, 2026
France, conversely, was eager to build up Europe’s own sovereign defense base and technology, from quantum computing to AI systems held outside America.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026
Newcastle are one of the smaller investments in PIF's portfolio and, conversely, senior figures at the club have always maintained it is also one of the fund's biggest in terms of engagement.
From BBC ● Apr. 17, 2026
Lumumba's relatives conversely maintained that the time is ripe for a long-overdue legal reckoning.
From Barron's ● Mar. 17, 2026
Finally, we can reason conversely that modern areas with a high diversity of languages within a given language family lie closer to the early center of distribution of that language family.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
