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 Import growth halted and then fell after IEEPA trade restrictions were introduced in late August 2025 but then soared by 9 percent in the year in April 2026, following the sudden reversal of such measures by the Supreme Court. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 15 Sep. 2026 The Saints could have folded after a second-quarter replay reversal took a touchdown off the board. — Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026 Simultaneously, short sellers look to enter and capitalize on the stock’s reversal. — David Capablanca, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026 The first sign that El Niño is developing is a weakening, or even reversal, of the tropical Pacific trade winds. — Steven Paton, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reversal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reversal

Noun

That leaves room for a potential drop in price if momentum goes in reverse, but the fundamental outlook is set to keep prices elevated.

— John Towfighi, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026
The power changeup that has been percolating through baseball ever since Félix Hernández and Zack Greinke dominated with the pitch seems to have reverse-platoon splits, according to the model.

— Eno Sarris, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of reverse

Noun

Hamilton's denial follows a report Tuesday in Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera which said Hamilton had asked for changes to Ferrari's trackside staff and that his relationship with team principal Fred Vasseur was strained.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026
About a third of mortgage denials for primary home purchases with conventional loans in 2025 were due to a lack of credit history, according to Zillow’s analysis of 2025 Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data.

— Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of denial

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

Still, the latest hike marks an about-face from the Fed's stance at the start of the year, when inflation was cooling, and as many economists expected the central bank to lower interest rates throughout 2026.

— Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026
Whiplash doesn’t quite cut the stark about-face in cultural consensus that eventually paved the way for season 2, premiering this November.

— Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of about-face

Noun

The front end simply carves into turns with the slightest shift of body position, leaning over willingly enough to eliminate conscious thought and hesitation right out of the gate.

— Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 21 Sep. 2026
By the end of the day, Gallagher was hooked on the game, in part thanks to a coach who likely sensed his hesitation and put him straight to work.

— Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 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 23 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of reversal

noun

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