reverse-engineer

American  

[ri-vurs-en-juh-neer] / rɪˈvɜrs ɛn dʒəˈnɪər /

verb (used with object)

1. to study or analyze (a device, as a microchip for computers) in order to learn details of design, construction, and operation, perhaps to produce a copy or an improved version.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• reverse engineering
  noun

Etymology

Origin of reverse-engineer

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

The longer you wait to update, the more time “bad guys could reverse-engineer the patch and figure out what the hole is,” she explained.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 19, 2026

And Heico, which makes aftermarket parts, can use AI to reverse-engineer original parts and speed up the process of certifying them as equivalent to those from the original manufacturer.

From Barron's • Feb. 23, 2026

“I want to reverse-engineer us to a better future,” Winter said in an interview in 2024.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 23, 2025

"I think if we could reverse-engineer the naked mole-rat's biology," said Prof Balmus, "we might bring some much-needed therapies for an ageing society."

From BBC • Oct. 9, 2025

One consequence of building A.I. systems this way is that it’s difficult to reverse-engineer them or to fix problems by identifying specific bugs in the code.

From New York Times • May 21, 2024