reversal

noun

re·​ver·​sal ri-ˈvər-səl How to pronounce reversal (audio)
1
: an act or the process of reversing
2
: a conversion of a photographic positive into a negative or vice versa
3
: a change (as of fortune) often for the worse

Examples of reversal in a Sentence

In a sudden reversal, the mayor has decided not to run for reelection. the reversal of a decision a surprising reversal in the value of the stock We had a role reversal. I became the leader and he became the follower. In a reversal of roles, he is now taking care of his mother. Reversal of the decision is unlikely.
Recent Examples on the Web His reversal now is also partially the product of a lobbying campaign connected to a GOP megadonor with connections that reach into Trump’s inner circle. Jeff Stein, Washington Post, 12 Mar. 2024 Co-host Andrew Ross Sorkin attempted at times to press Trump on various issues, such as his reversal on whether the U.S. should ban TikTok. Oliver Darcy, CNN, 12 Mar. 2024 In a strange reversal of a longstanding trend with the Academy, this year’s documentary short ballot is almost entirely domestic (which is to say, films made by or about Americans), while the feature doc category — where subtitles aren’t so common — is entirely international. Peter Debruge, Variety, 10 Mar. 2024 March in Washington: A year after celebrating the reversal of Roe v. Wade, the annual March for Life gathered in the nation’s capital in a very different political climate. Kate Zernike, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2024 That was a reversal from a policy introduced during the Covid pandemic that allowed many employees to work from home as much as 60% of the time in an effort to increase flexibility and adjust to new ways of working, while also enabling the lender to cut its office footprint. Steven Arons, Fortune Europe, 27 Feb. 2024 The bigger average refund marks a reversal from the dip that the typical taxpayer experienced in 2023, when refunds were 3% lower due to the expiration of pandemic tax benefits. Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2024 Key Facts The reversal is part of a governing agenda outlined by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s National Party government, which won the country’s parliamentary elections last year. Siladitya Ray, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 Farmers were demanding the reversal of some of the most progressive measures in the world to counter climate change and protect biodiversity, arguing that the rules were harming their livelihoods and strangling them with red tape. Raf Casert, Quartz, 25 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'reversal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of reversal was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near reversal

Cite this Entry

“Reversal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reversal. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

reversal

noun
re·​ver·​sal ri-ˈvər-səl How to pronounce reversal (audio)
: an act or the process of reversing

Medical Definition

reversal

noun
re·​ver·​sal ri-ˈvər-səl How to pronounce reversal (audio)
: an act or the process of reversing

Legal Definition

reversal

noun
re·​ver·​sal
1
: an act or the process of reversing
2
: an instance of reversing
the reversal of the lower court's decision

More from Merriam-Webster on reversal

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