Reversal Clue Practice
Ten original reversal clues arranged from easy to hard. Each clue asks you to spell a word backwards to reveal the answer. The key is to spot the reversal indicator (words like “going back”, “returned”, “reflected”, or “turned over”), identify the source word, reverse its letters, and match the result to the definition. Try to solve each one before revealing the solution.
“Dog going back is deity (3)”
Reveal answer
Answer: GOD
- Reversal indicator: “going back”
- Source word: DOG
- Reversed result: GOD
- Definition: “deity”
"Going back" is the reversal indicator. DOG spelled backwards gives GOD. The definition is "deity".
“Returned reward is furniture (6)”
Reveal answer
Answer: DRAWER
- Reversal indicator: “returned”
- Source word: REWARD
- Reversed result: DRAWER
- Definition: “furniture”
"Returned" is the reversal indicator. REWARD spelled backwards gives DRAWER. The definition is "furniture".
“Reflected evil is to exist (4)”
Reveal answer
Answer: LIVE
- Reversal indicator: “reflected”
- Source word: EVIL
- Reversed result: LIVE
- Definition: “to exist”
"Reflected" is the reversal indicator. EVIL spelled backwards gives LIVE. The definition is "to exist".
“Rats turned over become celestial body (4)”
Reveal answer
Answer: STAR
- Reversal indicator: “turned over”
- Source word: RATS
- Reversed result: STAR
- Definition: “celestial body”
"Turned over" is the reversal indicator. RATS spelled backwards gives STAR. The definition is "celestial body".
“Cooking vessels returned — full stop (4)”
Reveal answer
Answer: STOP
- Reversal indicator: “returned”
- Source word: POTS
- Reversed result: STOP
- Definition: “full stop”
"Returned" is the reversal indicator. POTS (cooking vessels) spelled backwards gives STOP. The definition is "full stop".
“Sent back desserts — feeling anxious (8)”
Reveal answer
Answer: STRESSED
- Reversal indicator: “sent back”
- Source word: DESSERTS
- Reversed result: STRESSED
- Definition: “feeling anxious”
"Sent back" is the reversal indicator. DESSERTS spelled backwards gives STRESSED. The definition is "feeling anxious".
“Reflected loop is swimming place (4)”
Reveal answer
Answer: POOL
- Reversal indicator: “reflected”
- Source word: LOOP
- Reversed result: POOL
- Definition: “swimming place”
"Reflected" is the reversal indicator. LOOP spelled backwards gives POOL. The definition is "swimming place".
“Snare going back becomes a section (4)”
Reveal answer
Answer: PART
- Reversal indicator: “going back”
- Source word: TRAP
- Reversed result: PART
- Definition: “a section”
"Going back" is the reversal indicator. TRAP (snare) spelled backwards gives PART. The definition is "a section".
“Time going back is transmitted (4)”
Reveal answer
Answer: EMIT
- Reversal indicator: “going back”
- Source word: TIME
- Reversed result: EMIT
- Definition: “transmitted”
"Going back" is the reversal indicator. TIME spelled backwards gives EMIT. The definition is "transmitted".
“Firearms returned — a cosy feeling (4)”
Reveal answer
Answer: SNUG
- Reversal indicator: “returned”
- Source word: GUNS
- Reversed result: SNUG
- Definition: “a cosy feeling”
"Returned" is the reversal indicator. GUNS (firearms) spelled backwards gives SNUG. The definition is "a cosy feeling".
Learn more about reversal clues
If you want to understand reversal indicators in depth, see the full teaching page. It covers how to spot reversal indicators, common patterns, and worked examples from real Parseword puzzles.
Reversal clues — full guide