Can You Guess the Opposites of These Words Spelled Backwards?

By: Beth Hendricks
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
Can You Guess the Opposites of These Words Spelled Backwards?
Image: Photodisc / Photodisc / Getty Images

About This Quiz

You've seen them before: Blocks of upside-down, backward and mixed-up text topped with a headline like, "Only geniuses can read this!" or "You'll be smarter than your friends if you can understand this!" The truth is, it really does have something to do with your brain, but maybe not exactly what you thought.

Have you ever seen a child write his or her name backward? Psychologists and people smarter than us who study this sort of thing sometimes refer to it as "mirror writing." In fact, one pretty famous polymath (that's someone skilled in a wide range of disciplines) known as Leonardo da Vinci used to engage in mirror writing intentionally. For the rest of us plebeians, writing backward is probably something we'd do just for fun or to craft a message on a car window for someone outside, perhaps. 

But let's go back to our brains. Some scientists believe that when we learn or recognize a word, it is stored in our brains correctly in one hemisphere, while a mirror opposite of that word is stored in another hemisphere. So, the word "quiz" could appear as both "quiz" and "ziuq" in separate parts of your noggin. Pretty cool, right?

Now, let's see what you've got stored in that big brain of yours! This quiz is a collection of backward words that need to be matched to their correctly spelled opposites. Unscramble the word and then figure out which "opposite" pairs perfectly with it. We'll consider you a regular htimsdrow if you can nail this one!


1-School
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He was "tnesba" from school on Monday, but he was ________ on Tuesday. What word fills in the blank?
Modern
Question
Present
Natural
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

To be "absent" means that a person is not in a particular place at a given time, such as being away from school. The opposite of "absent" is "present," which means you are in a particular place at the appointed time.

2-Frankenstein
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Frankenstein shouts, "It's evila!" in the 1931 movie classic. What is the opposite of "evila?"
Narrow
Stupid
Dead
Boundless
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In the 1931 black-and-white classic, "Frankenstein," the popular phrase, "It's alive!" is used to acknowledge the creature's movement. The opposite of "alive" is, of course, "dead."

3-friends
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You'd probably consider your friend an "ylla," but what would they be if they weren't?
Bitter
Enemy
Fade
Captive
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Someone who is in your corner is considered an "ally." The United States, as a country, has allies in other countries. The opposite of an ally, however, would be an enemy (if they were your friend, they might be a frenemy).

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4-Beautiful
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Rock group U2 recorded a song titled "lufituaeB Day." What is the opposite of "lufituaeb"?
Ugly
Cheap
Windy
Reveal
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

We don't want to make judgments here, but there's no denying that something the opposite of "beautiful" would be considered "ugly." That reminds us of a childhood chant, "U-G-L-Y, you ain't got no alibi ...," which we – of course – never chanted.

5-Sweater
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She said she wanted to "worrob" my sweater, but it was really more like which of these?
Blame
Contract
Steal
Bright
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When you "borrow" something, you ask for someone to give you an item. Both parties intend for the item to be returned. To "steal," on the other hand, means to take something that doesn't belong to you without permission. Don't do that!

6-War
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Prisoners of war during World War II would have been considered "evitpac" instead of this word that means the opposite. Which is it?
Difficult
Encourage
Shallow
Free
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Individuals who are held against their will, such as prisoners of war, would be considered "captive." Individuals who may come and go as they please, though, would be regarded as "free."

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7-puzzled
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If it's not "nommoc," then it must be which one of these choices?
Fade
Stale
Rare
Tiny
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Things that are "common" are considered widely available. Think about something you might want. If it's not "common," then it's probably "rare," which means it's much harder to find.

8-dangerous
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There are certain places in the world that are considered "suoregnad" to visit. What would it be if it weren't "suoregnad"?
Random
Safe
Harmful
Generous
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You're probably familiar with locales throughout the world that would be considered "dangerous" for tourists to visit, so scratch those from your list. Places that are "safe" to visit would be better choices!

9-Christmas-Tree
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The lights on the Christmas tree were "thgirb." If they weren't, what might we call them?
Humble
Dim
Transparent
Guilty
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Nobody likes a "dim" bulb (still talking about Christmas lights here). Ideally, all of your Christmas lights are "bright," letting you celebrate the magic of the season in a joyous and merry way.

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10-Half-Empty
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Do you see the glass as half "ytpme" or something else? Which word is the opposite in tis case?
Guest
Full
Proud
Justice
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Some people see a glass as half "empty," but others see it as half "full." This is a common expression to help decipher between the optimists (your half "full" people) and the pessimists (your half "empty" people). Which one are you?

11-famous
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Celebrities and athletes are "suomaf," but your garbage man is (probably) not. Which word is the opposite?
Interesting
Diseased
Senior
Unknown
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

People who are "famous" are usually celebrities, athletes, politicians and others in the public eye. The rest of us are "unknown," at least to the public at large. Our friends and family still know us, though!

12-Bread
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This type of bread isn't suitable for much except making croutons. What is the opposite of "elats"?
Trivial
Fresh
Shorten
Merry
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Nobody wants "stale" bread for a sandwich, but you could make a mean batch of croutons with it. "Fresh" bread would be the opposite, both of the word in this question and for the best sandwiches!

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13-Dryer
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Sometimes your clothes "knirhs" in the dryer. What is the opposite of that term?
Obedient
Polite
Grow
Brighten
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Clothes sometimes "shrink" in the dryer as a result of fibers constricting after being wet. Of course, you don't want your clothes to "grow" in the dryer, either, or they might be too big to wear!

14-Baby
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You want to handle a baby with a "eltneg" touch rather than this opposite. Which is it?
Rough
Temporary
Zenith
Coward
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Whenever you're dealing with a baby or a child, you want to be "gentle" rather than "rough." The word "gentle" could mean mild or moderate, while something that is "rough" is coarse or harsh.

15-Eating-Out
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Eating out too much may "rednih" your diet unless you're careful. What word is the opposite here?
Just
Intentional
Help
Unknown
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The word "hinder" means that something is causing a delay or interruption. On the other side of this word game is the word "help," which means to assist or facilitate. If you're trying to diet, you need all the "help" you can get!

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16-Healthy
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It can be hard to stay "yhtlaeh" during the winter months. Which word is the opposite of "yhtlaeh"?
Stingy
Ill
Superior
Evil
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The winter months, maybe because we're all inside more, can be difficult for staying "healthy." We often find ourselves "ill," with minor coughs and colds or, in more severe cases, with the flu or other ailments.

17-Documents
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She told me the documents were "tnatropmi," and I had to deliver them right away. What is the opposite?
Trivial
Found
Remember
Empty
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Information that is deemed "important" is critical for something or someone. Information that is "trivial," though, is insignificant – you know, like 90% of social media.

18-Children
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The teacher had to "etarapes" the children because they were talking too much. Which of these is the opposite of "etarapes"?
Joyous
Exclude
Join
Personalize
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

To "separate" individuals means to put them in different locations, but if you want to "join" individuals, you would put them in the same location. It's OK; we liked to talk in school ourselves. (Sorry, teachers!)

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19-Courtroom
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Lawyers and judges are fond of the saying, "ecnarongI of the law is no excuse." What is the opposite of "ecnarongi"?
Borrow
Giant
Boring
Knowledge
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you have "ignorance," then you probably lack "knowledge," since the two are opposites. Many sources define "ignorance" as the absence of knowledge; knowledge, on the other hand, is considered learning or understanding.

20-Follower
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Some people are the born "opposite" of the term, "rewollof." What are they?
Leader
Lengthen
Disloyal
Spendthrift
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It's true! Some people are born "leaders," while others are content to be "followers." And there's nothing inherently wrong with either! Life is a series of give-and-take moments where you're sometimes one and sometimes the other!

21-Messy-Room
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You may have gotten chewed out as a kid for having a "yssem" room. What did your mom hope it would be?
Limited
Quiet
Neat
Singular
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Let's face it: Kids are much better at keeping a "messy" room than a "neat" one. Luckily, most of us grow out of it by the time we're grown-ups with our own place ... most of us that is!

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22-Similar
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These words are not "ralimis" at all. What is the entirely different word for "ralimis"?
Opaque
Sour
Opposite
Useless
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Similar" and "opposite" are, well, opposites! Things that are similar are things that are alike, such as two peas in a pod. Things that are opposite are quite different, indeed, like peas and chocolate bars.

23-Polite
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Saying "please" and "thank you" and holding the door open for strangers is the hallmark of a "etilop" person. What would you be considered if you didn't do these things?
Reap
Vacant
Rude
Qualified
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

We need more manners in society today, don't you agree? A world of "polite," rather than "rude" people certainly makes the day-to-day grind easier to deal with. People who are rude may have an appointment with the karma bus!

24-broken-nose
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After he broke his nose, it was "dekoorc." What is the opposite of this term?
Question
Failure
Complex
Straight
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Someone who breaks his or her nose might experience it becoming "crooked," or not "straight," afterward. Of course, scars are your story so, whatever you do, tell a good one. And, hey, cosmetic surgery is always an option!

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25-Tattoo
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Before you get a tattoo, remember that it's "tnenamrep." What is the opposite?
Obedient
Impossible
Temporary
Contaminated
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There are a few things in life that are "permanent," and tattoos are dominant in that category. Unless you want to have very expensive and time-consuming laser removal done, consider a "temporary" tattoo instead.

26-Sports
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Sports journalist Jim McKay used to say, "The thrill of 'yrotciv' and the agony of ..." which of these?
Freeze
Illegal
Defeat
Boundless
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you're a fan of any sports team, you know this to be true. There's nothing like the thrill of "victory," or winning, except the agony of "defeat," or losing.

27-Peace
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John Lennon encouraged all of us to "Give ecaeP a Chance" with a song of the same name in 1969. What's the opposite of "ecaep"?
Cold
Decrease
Valley
War
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Boy, couldn't we all use a little more "peace" in the world? "Peace" is harmony and freedom from discord. "War," its opposite, is a state of conflict or hostility between two or more entities.

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28-Photoshoot
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She told us she wanted all of us to be "rehtegot" for the photoshoot. What word represents the opposite?
Apart
Foolish
Bound
External
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When you're "together," you're in a group with at least one other person in the same location. When you're "apart," you're no longer in the same location, but you're separated by time or distance.

29-Winston-Churchill
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Winston Churchill once said, "_______ is not final; 'eruliaf' is not fatal." What "opposite" word of "eruliaf" fills the blank?
Incapable
Success
Combine
Expand
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The quote by Churchill goes, "Success is not final; failure is not fatal," and continues, "It is the courage to continue that counts." Churchill would know, having brought peace to Europe during World War II.

30-Required
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If someone requires you to do something, it is "yroslupmoc." What term represents the opposite?
Troubled
Sweet
Voluntary
Ancient
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Showing up to work five days a week for many is "compulsory," especially if you like to get a paycheck. When something is not required, it is considered "voluntary," such as giving your time at an animal shelter.

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31-Government
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Government officers are considered "cilbup" figures. What is the opposite of the word "cilbup"?
Guilty
Humble
Private
Intentional
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you work in the government, you are – surprise! – a "public" figure. Once you retire from your government post, however, you go back to being a "private" citizen, sort of. Ask former President Barack Obama about that.

32-Jack-and-Jill
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Jack "syawla" went up the hill, but Jill ________ did. What word, opposite of "syawla," could complete that sentence?
Unlikely
Boring
Outside
Never
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you "always" do something, it means you do something every time without exception. If you "never" do something, it means you don't do it. For the record, the nursery rhyme says that both Jack and Jill went up the hill.

33-Employer
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You want your employer to consider you "suoirtsudni" rather than which of these opposite terms?
Miser
Shorten
Lazy
Young
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When you're "industrious," your employer recognizes that you're a hard worker. If your employer considers you "lazy," though, you're probably going to get fired. A "lazy" worker is someone who is averse to working.

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34-Praise
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She gave "esiarp" to her children for a job well done. What would be the opposite of "esiarp"?
Blame
Evoke
Tight
Misunderstand
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Giving "praise" to someone means you recognize their efforts with your admiration or approval. Casting "blame," the opposite of "praise," means you find fault with what someone did.

35-Trees
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We couldn't decide between an "laicifitra" tree and a _________ one. What word fill the blank for the opposite of "laicifitra?"
Minority
Natural
Lengthen
Generous
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Many people can't decide between an "artificial" (or fake) tree at Christmas and a "natural" (or real) one. We love the smell of a natural tree, but an artificial one is so much easier to maintain!

You Got:
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