opposite、contrary、adverse、reverse与converse这些形容词均含“相反的，对立的”之意。
opposite : 指位置、方向、行动或想法等完全相反。
- Answers are given on the opposite page.
答案在对页上。 - He sat down in the chair opposite.
他在对面的椅子上坐了下来。 - I watched them leave and then drove off in the opposite direction.
我目送他们离开，然后开车向相反的方向驶去。
contrary : 一般指与某种主张、看法或行为等正好相反，隐含否定一方并不意味着肯定另一方的意味。
- Contrary to popular belief , many cats dislike milk.
与普通的看法相反，许多猫不喜欢牛奶。 - The government has decided that the publication of the report would be ‘contrary to the public interest’.
政府认为发表这份报告将会“违背公众的利益”。
adverse : 通常指违害利益的、无生命的势力或条件等，侧重分歧。
- 逆风
adverse winds - 反面意见
an adverse opinion - 在不利条件下
under adverse conditions - 没有恶劣天气这回事，只有软弱的人。
There's no such thing as adverse weather, just soft people.
（拓展学习：小词详解 | adverse）
reverse : 指朝相反方向的或反面（背面）的。
- to travel in the reverse direction
向相反方向行进 - The experiment had the reverse effect to what was intended.
实验的结果与原来的意图相反。
converse : 指在方向、行动或意见上相反的。
- a converse effect/opinion/argument
相反的效果／观点／论点
