diff --git a/babi/file.py b/babi/file.py
index 6d46f58..129ce89 100644
--- a/babi/file.py
+++ b/babi/file.py
@@ -641,9 +641,9 @@ class File:
         self.buf[self.buf.y] += self.buf.pop(self.buf.y + 1)
         self.buf.restore_eof_invariant()
 
-    def _sort(self, margin: Margin, s_y: int, e_y: int) -> None:
+    def _sort(self, margin: Margin, s_y: int, e_y: int, reverse: bool) -> None:
         # self.buf intentionally does not support slicing so we use islice
-        lines = sorted(itertools.islice(self.buf, s_y, e_y))
+        lines = sorted(itertools.islice(self.buf, s_y, e_y), reverse=reverse)
         for i, line in zip(range(s_y, e_y), lines):
             self.buf[i] = line
 
@@ -652,17 +652,17 @@ class File:
         self.buf.scroll_screen_if_needed(margin)
 
     @edit_action('sort', final=True)
-    def sort(self, margin: Margin) -> None:
-        self._sort(margin, 0, len(self.buf) - 1)
+    def sort(self, margin: Margin, reverse: bool = False) -> None:
+        self._sort(margin, 0, len(self.buf) - 1, reverse=reverse)
 
     @edit_action('sort selection', final=True)
     @clear_selection
-    def sort_selection(self, margin: Margin) -> None:
+    def sort_selection(self, margin: Margin, reverse: bool = False) -> None:
         (s_y, _), (e_y, _) = self.selection.get()
         e_y = min(e_y + 1, len(self.buf) - 1)
         if self.buf[e_y - 1] == '':
             e_y -= 1
-        self._sort(margin, s_y, e_y)
+        self._sort(margin, s_y, e_y, reverse=reverse)
 
     DISPATCH = {
         # movement
diff --git a/babi/screen.py b/babi/screen.py
index 8ce6688..bfccc37 100644
--- a/babi/screen.py
+++ b/babi/screen.py
@@ -433,6 +433,12 @@ class Screen:
             else:
                 self.file.sort(self.margin)
             self.status.update('sorted!')
+        elif response == ':sort!':
+            if self.file.selection.start:
+                self.file.sort_selection(self.margin, reverse=True)
+            else:
+                self.file.sort(self.margin, reverse=True)
+            self.status.update('sorted!')
         elif response is not PromptResult.CANCELLED:
             self.status.update(f'invalid command: {response}')
         return None
diff --git a/tests/features/sort_test.py b/tests/features/sort_test.py
index 5b2b114..e83d4a4 100644
--- a/tests/features/sort_test.py
+++ b/tests/features/sort_test.py
@@ -21,6 +21,16 @@ def test_sort_entire_file(run, unsorted):
     assert unsorted.read() == 'a\nb\nc\nd\n'
 
 
+def test_reverse_sort_entire_file(run, unsorted):
+    with run(str(unsorted)) as h, and_exit(h):
+        trigger_command_mode(h)
+        h.press_and_enter(':sort!')
+        h.await_text('sorted!')
+        h.await_cursor_position(x=0, y=1)
+        h.press('^S')
+    assert unsorted.read() == 'd\nc\nb\na\n'
+
+
 def test_sort_selection(run, unsorted):
     with run(str(unsorted)) as h, and_exit(h):
         h.press('S-Down')
@@ -32,6 +42,18 @@ def test_sort_selection(run, unsorted):
     assert unsorted.read() == 'b\nd\nc\na\n'
 
 
+def test_reverse_sort_selection(run, unsorted):
+    with run(str(unsorted)) as h, and_exit(h):
+        h.press('Down')
+        h.press('S-Down')
+        trigger_command_mode(h)
+        h.press_and_enter(':sort!')
+        h.await_text('sorted!')
+        h.await_cursor_position(x=0, y=2)
+        h.press('^S')
+    assert unsorted.read() == 'd\nc\nb\na\n'
+
+
 def test_sort_selection_does_not_include_eof(run, unsorted):
     with run(str(unsorted)) as h, and_exit(h):
         for _ in range(5):