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 This reversal is the result of a trend that started in 2021, after at least thirty years during which the numbers ran in the other direction. — Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2026 The move marks a dramatic reversal for the Art in Embassies program, which awarded Wiley its Medal of Arts in 2015 and commissioned the work as cultural diplomacy. — George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 25 Aug. 2026 After the reversal was finalized in May, Garcia Torres invoked his speedy trial rights and is being represented by a familiar face in Lopez, who defended him during the original trial. — Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 24 Aug. 2026 But the association will not advertise a destination until the tribe or business approves its description – a small reversal of the old roadside economy, in which outsiders invented Native identities for signs and souvenirs. — Harry Bruinius, Christian Science Monitor, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reversal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reversal

Noun

Four plays later, on a reverse, Hunt and Jihaad Campbell were quickly in the backfield and helped shut down the play.

— Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
That combined experience informs Hades Films’ goal of creating theatrical horror made for Gen Z — without treating younger audiences like a market segment that can be reverse-engineered.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of reverse

Noun

Target's results also highlighted pressure on discretionary spending, though the company's turnaround under CEO Michael Fiddelke still showed considerable progress in the quarter.

— Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 22 Aug. 2026
The Dodgers, having made significant investments, are banking on a turnaround, trusting Tucker's track record over his current performance.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of turnaround

Noun

Another veteran right-hander, pending free agent Nick Pivetta, is uncertain to return this season after suffering a flexor strain in April and a recent setback in his rehab.

— Dennis Lin, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
The latest setback comes at a time when Toronto is already managing a lengthy injury list, making organizational depth especially important.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of setback

Noun

Improve home-health billing, claims submission, denial management, legacy accounts receivable, revenue-cycle dashboards, and financial sustainability.

— Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 27 Aug. 2026
The denial-of-service attacks meant that hackers pushed massive traffic toward the agency in order to block services, including one that enables citizens to use one login across multiple public services.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of denial

Noun

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
The market’s message is often beguiling and inscrutable, with frequent overshoots and crowd-humiliating turnabouts that would be so satisfying to see coming in advance.

— Michael Santoli, CNBC, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of turnabout

Noun

Slowly, the buck did an about-face and headed down the treeline, looking back only once before disappearing.

— Jeff Murray, Outdoor Life, 20 Aug. 2026
Trump’s about-face on vaccines The president thrust controversial vaccine policy matters back into the spotlight on Monday.

— John Wilkerson, STAT, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of about-face

Noun

If your hesitation is about fear, anxiety or burnout, spending time with someone whose perspective leans to the positive might help offset your worries.

— Caroline Ceniza-Levine, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Still, some parents say the process remains unclear — and express hesitation on relying on shaky state funds.

— Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 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 29 Aug. 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

kith

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

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

Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 28

Why do we say 'break a leg'?

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes