REVERSAL 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 abrupt reversal has even caught economists like Sacks off guard. — Dylan Scott, Vox, 15 Oct. 2026 Average tariff rates continued to fall the ensuing months, but made a reversal in August as the Section 301 duties took hold. — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026 The notices, the standing ovations, the awards buzz — all of it represents a stunning reversal of fortune for Guadagnino after the Amazon debacle in June. — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026 The White House has signalled a potential reversal of course after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced plans to livestream the firing squad execution of former Army Maj. — Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reversal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reversal

Noun

San Francisco receiver Deebo Samuel took the ball from quarterback Brock Purdy but then flipped it to Jacob Cowing on a reverse.

— Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2026
Freeman slid a clever reverse pass into Reyna’s path, and Reyna’s cross was spilled by Rangel, right into the path of Hall for a tap-in.

— Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of reverse

Noun

The closure marks a quick turnaround for the highway district.

— Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 15 Oct. 2026
The Atlanta Dream will take the court this weekend for their first WNBA Finals game in 13 years, a pinnacle achievement for the franchise with the lowest valuation in the league still undergoing a massive turnaround.

— Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of turnaround

Noun

Even after the setback, young households remained wealthier than their counterparts were before the pandemic.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
Embracing uncertainty does not mean ignoring danger, suppressing disappointment or insisting that every setback is positive.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of setback

Noun

In fact, as Rodriguez explained, Salazar’s turnabout had seemed to spark a fund-raising windfall for his campaign from national donors, who saw the dysfunction as a sign that the seat was potentially flippable.

— Daniel Castro, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2026
Add the no-camping turnabout to a list of political issues on which Raman took one position only to later shift her stance — or in some cases, reverse it completely.

— David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 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

Bearish analysts at Bank of America did an about-face on Salesforce — jumping over to the believers camp, where Jim Cramer has been all along in the face of artificial intelligence threats.

— Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of about-face

Noun

But the earnestness of their performances, the texture of their hesitation, makes the video far more compelling than any of its deepfake counterparts.

— Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
Decker said people who are homeless can feel hesitation to come into shelter, but Open Doors has built a rapport in the neighborhood and would want to stay.

— Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of hesitation

Browse Nearby Words

revering

reversal

reversals

See all Nearby Words

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Style

“Reversal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reversal. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of reversal

noun

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