Reversal Clues

Spell a word backwards and discover the answer hiding in reverse

Guide › Reversals

What Are Reversal Clues?

In a reversal clue, a word from the clue is spelled backwards to produce the answer. The setter signals this with a reversal indicator — a word suggesting backward movement such as "returned", "back", "reflected", or "reversed".

The direction of the clue in the grid matters. In across clues, reversal indicators tend to suggest leftward movement: "back", "returned", "leftward", "going west". In down clues, indicators suggest upward movement: "rising", "climbing", "going up", "raised".

Reversal clues can appear on their own (where an entire word is reversed) or as part of a more complex clue where only one component is reversed before being combined with other parts. Start by looking for simple, standalone reversals.

Worked Examples

"Returned beer container (3)"
TUB
Indicator: "Returned" signals a reversal. Word to reverse: BUT. Reversal: B-U-T spelled backwards = T-U-B. Definition: "container" = TUB. The word "beer" is a misdirection in the surface reading; "but" can relate to objection, and reversed it gives TUB.
"Liar turned back is a track (4)"
RAIL
Indicator: "turned back" signals a reversal. Word to reverse: LIAR. Reversal: L-I-A-R spelled backwards = R-A-I-L. Definition: "track" = RAIL. Check: LIAR reversed is indeed RAIL.
"Reflected pool is a circle (4)"
LOOP
Indicator: "Reflected" signals a reversal. Word to reverse: POOL. Reversal: P-O-O-L spelled backwards = L-O-O-P. Definition: "circle" = LOOP. Check: POOL reversed is LOOP.
"Reward turned back shows a cabinet (6)"
DRAWER
Indicator: "turned back" signals a reversal. Word to reverse: REWARD. Reversal: R-E-W-A-R-D spelled backwards = D-R-A-W-E-R. Definition: "cabinet" = DRAWER (a sliding compartment in furniture). Check: REWARD reversed is DRAWER.

Complete Reversal Indicator Glossary

These words signal that a word should be read backwards. Some are specific to across clues (suggesting leftward movement) and some to down clues (suggesting upward movement):

back backwards brought back climbing (down) flipped going up (down) in reverse leftward mirrored over raised (down) recalled reflected rejected retired returned reversed rising (down) turned up (down) upside down

Tips for Solving Reversal Clues

1. Pay attention to across vs. down

In down clues, watch for "rising", "climbing", "going up", or simply "up". In across clues, look for "back", "returned", "leftward", or "going west". The indicator must match the direction of the clue.

2. Try reversing every word in the clue

Once you spot a reversal indicator, try spelling each nearby word backwards. The reversed word must match the answer length and make sense as a word.

3. Reversals often combine with other devices

A reversal might be just one part of a longer clue. For example, a charade clue might reverse one component before joining it with another. Be ready for reversed elements within larger constructions.

4. Look for palindromes as red herrings

Occasionally a setter will use a word that reads the same forwards and backwards (like LEVEL or KAYAK). In these cases, the reversal is a clever misdirection since the word does not change.

"Retired" is a particularly sneaky reversal indicator. It looks like it means "stopped working", but in a cryptic clue it means "went back" — signalling a reversal.

Explore Other Clue Types

Reversals are one of the simpler clue types. Continue learning with the other types below.

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