If there is an inverse relationship between two things, one of them becomes larger as the other becomessmaller.
The tension grew in inverse proportion to the distance from their final destination.
Synonyms: opposite, reverse, reversed, contrary More Synonyms of inverse
inverselyadverb [ADVERB adjective/-ed, ADVERB after verb]
The size of the nebula at this stage is inversely proportional to its mass.
2. singular noun
The inverse of something is its exact opposite.
[formal]
There is no sign that you bothered to consider the inverse of your logic. [+ of]
Synonyms: converse, opposite, reverse, contrary More Synonyms of inverse
Inverse is also an adjective.
The hologram can be flipped to show the inverse image.
More Synonyms of inverse
inverse in British English
(ɪnˈvɜːs, ˈɪnvɜːs)
adjective
1.
opposite or contrary in effect, sequence, direction, etc
2. mathematics
a.
(of a relationship) containing two variables such that an increase in one results in a decrease in the other
the volume of a gas is in inverse ratio to its pressure
b.
(of an element) operating on a specified member of a set to produce the identity of the set: the additive inverse element of x is –x, the multiplicative inverse element of x is 1/x
3. (usually prenominal)
upside-down; inverted
in an inverse position
noun
4. mathematics
a. another name for reciprocal (sense 7)
b.
an inverse element
5. logic
a categorial proposition derived from another by changing both the proposition and its subject from affirmative to negative, or vice versa, as all immortals are angels from no mortals are angels
Derived forms
inversely (inˈversely)
adverb
Word origin
C17: from Latin inversus, from invertere to invert
inverse in American English
(ɪnˈvɜrs; ˈɪnˌvɜrs)
adjective
1.
inverted; reversed in order or relation; directly opposite
2. Ancient Mathematics
designating or of an operation which, when applied after a specific operation, cancels it
subtraction is the inverse operation of addition
noun
3.
any inverse thing; direct opposite
4. Ancient Mathematics
a.
the result of an inversion
b.
the result obtained after dividing 1 by the given number; reciprocal
the inverse of x is 1/x
verb transitiveWord forms: inˈversed or inˈversing
5. Rare
to invert; reverse
Derived forms
inversely (inˈversely)
adverb
Word origin
L inversus, pp. of invertere
Examples of 'inverse' in a sentence
inverse
We had to try some of this liquid inverse snobbery.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Today there is a very strong inverse relationship between education and childbearing.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
There sometimes seems to be an inverse correlation between the complexity of government and its importance.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Why do people benefit in inverse proportion to their needs?
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
He dismisses such talk as inverse snobbery.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
There is an alternative story which could explain the inverse relationship between profitability and debt ratios.
Charles A. D'Ambrosio & Stewart D. Hodges & Richard Brealey & Stewart Myers Principles of Corporate Finance (1991)
The yields on gilts have an inverse relationship to values.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Quality is not always in inverse proportion to the number of copies sold.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
One definition of the term when the price is in inverse proportion to how expensive it looks.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Lighting in clothes shops tends to be in inverse proportion to noise.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
His charm was in inverse proportion to how well he knew you.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
This was inverse snobbery, it has been claimed.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
With sceptics, there is usually an inverse relationship between the two.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It has held down bond yields, which have an inverse relationship to the value.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
I am sometimes tempted to claim there is an inverse ratio of religious devotion to natural beauty.
Christianity Today (2000)
Yet somehow, the reputation of the prize has continued to rise in inverse relation to the reputation of its donor.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The first supplies its own and the other sector's needs; the inverse relation holds true as well.
Ramirez-Faria, Carlos The Origins of Economic Inequality between Nations: A critique of Western theorieson development and underdevelopment (1990)
The regime seems to be having an inverse effect: the thinner he gets, the wider he spreads his wings.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
It'The Premier stats that show an inverse correlation the amount of can earn and of making it as a footballer.
The Sun (2016)
There seems to be some sort of mysterious law of inverse logic: the worse the rugby, the bigger the crowds.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
All related terms of 'inverse'
additive inverse
the number that must be added to a number to equal zero
inverse function
the set of pairs arrived at when the first and second elements of the pairs in the original function are interchanged
inverse graffiti
a form of street art in which a dirty wall or pavement has a template placed against it and is scrubbed until the surface is clean . This reveals an image or message which gradually fades with time.
inverse relationship
The relationship between two things is the way in which they are connected.
inverse square law
any natural law in which the magnitude of a physical quantity varies inversely with the square of the distance from its source
multiplicative inverse
→ reciprocal (sense 8 )
1 (adjective)
Definition
opposite in effect, sequence, direction, etc.
The tension grew in inverse proportion to the distance from their destination.
Synonyms
opposite
Everything he does is opposite to what is considered normal behaviour.
reverse
The wrong attitude will have the reverse effect.
reversed
contrary
His sister was of the contrary opinion to his.
inverted
converse
Stress reduction techniques have the converse effect on the immune system.
transposed
2 (adjective)
The hologram can be flipped to show the inverse image.
Synonyms
reverse
We will take them in reverse order.
opposite
reversed
inverted
transposed
(noun)
Definition
the exact opposite
There is no sign that you bothered to consider the inverse of your logic.
Synonyms
converse
If that is true, the converse is equally so.
opposite
She's very shy, but her sister is quite the opposite.
reverse
There is absolutely no evidence. Quite the reverse.
contrary
Let me assure you that the contrary is, in fact, the case.
contradiction
What he does is a contradiction of what he says.
antithesis
She is the antithesis of the typical artist.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of antithesis
Definition
the exact opposite
She is the antithesis of the typical artist.
Synonyms
opposite,
contrast,
reverse,
contrary,
converse,
inverse,
antipode
in the sense of contradiction
What he does is a contradiction of what he says.
Synonyms
negation,
opposite,
denial,
antithesis
in the sense of contrary
Definition
opposed
His sister was of the contrary opinion to his.
Synonyms
opposite,
different,
opposed,
clashing,
counter,
reverse,
differing,
adverse,
contradictory,
inconsistent,
diametrically opposed,
antithetical
Nearby words of
inverse
inventiveness
inventor
inventory
inverse
inversion
invert
invertebrate
Synonyms of 'inverse'
inverse
Explore 'inverse' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of contrary
Let me assure you that the contrary is, in fact, the case.