Word
conversely
Phoneticscon·verse·ly, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈkɑnvɝsɫi/
UK/kənvˈɜːsli/
Sentence adverb
Definition
adv. you use this to introduce an idea that is the opposite of the one you just mentioned.
adv. used to introduce a statement or idea which reverses the logic of the previous one or presents a contrasting perspective.
Examples
“He is very shy; conversely, his sister is loud.”
“The first half of the year was profitable; conversely, the second half saw significant losses.”
“While some critics praised the film's visual style, others conversely argued that the lack of plot made it unwatchable.”
Examples
simple
“He is very shy; conversely, his sister is loud.”
contextual
“The first half of the year was profitable; conversely, the second half saw significant losses.”
complex
“While some critics praised the film's visual style, others conversely argued that the lack of plot made it unwatchable.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “conversely” in context.
Adjective
01. conversely likely
“While some students thrive in large groups, others are conversely likely to feel overwhelmed by the noise.”
adv + adj
Usage
Usually placed at the beginning of a sentence or clause to provide a transition between two contrasting ideas.
Teaching tip
This is a high-level transition word common in academic writing; students often confuse it with 'contrary', which is an adjective or noun.
Real-World Examples
“Conversely, when age-related losses were at the forefront of their minds, social interactions were more frequently experienced as stressful—and this more negative perception even persisted into the following day.” “Conversely, if the drought eliminates too many parasites, hosts or water bodies, aquatic infections will go down.” Etymology
From converse + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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- Academic, Formal
QR code
englishreference.com/q/conversely