Inversely: meaning, definitions and examples

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inversely

 

[ ɪnˈvɜrsli ]

Adverb
Context #1 | Adverb

mathematics

In an opposite or contrary manner; in an inverted state or order.

Synonyms

contrarily, oppositely.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
inversely

When describing relationships where one value decreases as the other increases; often used in scientific or mathematical contexts.

  • The speed of the object is inversely proportional to its mass.
  • In economics, supply is inversely related to price.
oppositely

Employed when describing things that are positioned or behaving in direct opposition to each other; often used in a more physical or spatial sense.

  • The two magnets are oppositely charged.
  • They stood oppositely across the room, glaring at each other.
contrarily

Used when expressing an opposition or contrast in opinion, behavior, or outcome; can sometimes carry a negative connotation implying stubbornness.

  • Contrarily to what you might think, he actually enjoys working alone.
  • She contrarily refused to follow the rules despite knowing the consequences.

Examples of usage

  • The relationship between pressure and volume is inversely proportional.
  • The speed of the car is inversely related to the time taken to reach the destination.
Context #2 | Adverb

general

In a way that is the opposite of the usual or expected.

Synonyms

contrarily, differently.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
inversely

Used when describing a relationship between two variables that change in opposite directions, often used in scientific or mathematical contexts.

  • The gas expands when heated and contracts inversely when cooled
  • Increased spending may affect savings inversely
contrarily

Used to indicate that something is done or occurs in a manner opposite or contrary to what is expected or desired, often has a slightly negative connotation.

  • He acted contrarily to the plan, causing confusion among the team
  • Contrarily to popular belief, not all snakes are dangerous
differently

Used to indicate that something is done or occurs in a manner that is not the same as something else, often emphasizing a variation in approach or result.

  • She thinks differently about the issue than her colleagues
  • We need to handle this project differently to meet the new requirements

Examples of usage

  • His behavior was inversely to what we had anticipated.
  • The results were inversely proportional to the effort put in.

Translations

Translations of the word "inversely" in other languages:

🇵🇹 inversamente

🇮🇳 उल्टा

🇩🇪 umgekehrt

🇮🇩 secara terbalik

🇺🇦 обернено

🇵🇱 odwrotnie

🇯🇵 逆に

🇫🇷 inversement

🇪🇸 inversamente

🇹🇷 tersine

🇰🇷 거꾸로

🇸🇦 بالعكس

🇨🇿 opačně

🇸🇰 opačne

🇨🇳 反过来

🇸🇮 obratno

🇮🇸 öfugt

🇰🇿 керісінше

🇬🇪 უკუღმა

🇦🇿 əksinə

🇲🇽 inversamente

Etymology

The word 'inversely' originates from the Latin word 'inversus', which means 'turned upside down'. The concept of inversely proportional relationships has been used in mathematics and science for centuries to describe a situation where one variable increases as the other decreases, and vice versa.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,750, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.