RE-VERSAL Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

reversal

noun

ri-ˈvər-səl

Definition of reversal

as in reverse

a change in status for the worse usually temporarily the company's long-term strategy is sound, and they should be able to weather this latest reversal

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

status quo

as in turnaround

a changing from one policy or point of view to virtually its exact opposite parents need to be consistent in their discipline policy, as reversals will only undermine the whole process

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of reversal The present economic picture makes that reversal uncomfortable. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2026 Then came the black finale, led by Polish supermodel Anja Rubik — a reversal of Yves Saint Laurent’s all-gold closing sequence in 1991. — ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026 The reversal looks complete and the risk-reward scenario is too good to ignore. — Jay Woods, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026 That override, escalation, or reversal is the most valuable data your firm produces. — Harvard Business Review, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reversal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reversal

Noun

Holding measles deaths out of the national update until certificates are final reverses that order.

— Jess Steier, STAT, 25 Sep. 2026
Available options include bicycle carriers, a side awning and a color reverse camera system.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of reverse

Noun

After a brief turnaround, the late show attendees were allowed inside, where a solo harpist set the mood with ambient music.

— Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026
The challenge now is making sure the album has enough time to establish its own identity instead of getting lost in that quick turnaround or blending with the Something Beautiful era.

— Christopher Claxton, Billboard, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of turnaround

Noun

The setback sparked speculation in Spanish media that Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez could consider bringing forward elections from next year.

— JOSEPH WILSON, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
And just when that effort was paying dividends, Sayegh faced another major setback in April 2025 when part of the ceiling in her theater collapsed.

— Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of setback

Noun

In a surprising turnabout, New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art canceled a John Galliano exhibition that was due to open next spring, in what would have been the Costume Institute‘s big May 2027 show, held in tandem with the notorious Met Gala.

— Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 31 Aug. 2026
The turnabout led to a statewide recount that took weeks, cost more than $260,000 and ultimately reaffirmed Prosser's reelection.

— Steven Martinez, jsonline.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of turnabout

Noun

Love was unclear on the reasons for her volte-face, but speculated that Sky had failed to convince Bake Off stars like Paul Hollywood to make the switch.

— Jake Kanter, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2026
The volte-face in transfer strategy is not necessarily negative.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of volte-face

Noun

The move was an about-face from December when city leaders approved a rezoning to allow a computing campus that developers later proposed would be more than twice the floor space of Buckhead’s Lenox Square mall.

— Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 2 Oct. 2026
The authority cited current and projected lake levels, near-average precipitation across the canal’s watershed and the water-saving measures in place at the locks as reasons for the about-face.

— Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of about-face

Noun

The recording includes hesitations and human interventions rather than presenting only the successful portions of the operation.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026
Others who express hesitation or opposition to bans often cite the risk of sending people who are dependent on 7-OH into withdrawal, and potentially leading them to other, more dangerous substances.

— Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of hesitation

Browse Nearby Words

revering

reversal

reversals

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Reversal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reversal. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of reversal

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on reversal

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

etiquette

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes