1
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
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Recent Examples of reversal
Yet the moment feels almost like a reversal of fortune from nearly a decade ago, when Republicans held the governor’s mansion, more dominant majorities in the state Legislature and enjoyed a 15-year streak of a conservative majority on the state Supreme Court.
—
Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 4 Apr. 2026
This potential move is a striking reversal from the position staked out less than two years ago by the chain’s CEO—and a major gamble for a brand still finding its footing after a bruising bankruptcy.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026
Stephen Brown, chief North America economist at Capital Economics, said in a research note that the stronger-than-expected payroll gains in March reflect a reversal of the strike and weather effects that bogged down hiring in February, rather than strong momentum.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
That alone should have had investors bracing for a reversal or even a correction.
—Michael Hiltzik, Boston Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reversal
Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 4 Apr. 2026
This potential move is a striking reversal from the position staked out less than two years ago by the chain’s CEO—and a major gamble for a brand still finding its footing after a bruising bankruptcy.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026
Stephen Brown, chief North America economist at Capital Economics, said in a research note that the stronger-than-expected payroll gains in March reflect a reversal of the strike and weather effects that bogged down hiring in February, rather than strong momentum.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
That alone should have had investors bracing for a reversal or even a correction.
—Michael Hiltzik, Boston Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reversal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reversal
Noun
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Zadorov crushed Seth Jarvis, who had tried an highly unsuccessful reverse, on a brutal but clean check that took Jarvis a while to shake off.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
-
It gets lost in the championship run, but the Wolverines’ leader really pulled off a Euro step reverse and-1.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Michigan finished the job, punctuating a remarkable two-year turnaround for May, who arrived at Michigan in 2024 after taking Florida Atlantic to the Final Four in 2023.—
Justin Williams,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2026
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Target is also in the middle turnaround effort and recently laid out its plan to overhaul key categories, including apparel and home.—
Michelle Fox,
CNBC,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Our own editors have run the gamut of unexpected setbacks abroad, including getting mugged and pickpocketed, as well as having their passports stolen.—
Michelle Baricevic,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Apr. 2026
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That setback, according to those who knew him well, wounded him—and transformed him.—
Kapil Komireddi,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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One of his most popular early clips featured a Holocaust-denial riff about how many cookies could fit in an oven.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
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Recently, despite their consistent and ridiculous denials, it was found that Iran had built numerous missiles capable of reaching all over Europe.—
Bobby Zirkin,
Baltimore Sun,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Conservative influencers, among others, blasted the turnabout and questioned Bondi’s capability.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 Apr. 2026
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In a turnabout-is-fair-play moment, a Sparty fan showed during a break of the Wolverines’ game was treated with equal disdain.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
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This volte-face was not just about electoral politics.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
17 Jan. 2026
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The Kremlin has denied any such request was made, which tells you something about how Moscow views the optics of this diplomatic volte-face.—
Bobby Ghosh,
Time,
22 Dec. 2025
Noun
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The prime gospel period for the Grateful Dead was in 1970, which is also when the Dead performed the greatest about-face in American musical history.—
Colin Fleming,
New York Daily News,
5 Apr. 2026
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In a rare about-face, the move by Israeli police to block Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa from the holiest site in Christianity was reversed after criticism.—
Sammy Westfall,
Washington Post,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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First consulted via iPad about Gaby’s (Jessica Williams) hesitation to marry Derek, Paul ultimately flies back to Los Angeles to give Jimmy one final nudge in the direction of moving forward by reconnecting him with Sofi (Cobie Smulders).—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
8 Apr. 2026
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Some governments have had similar hesitations.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reversal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reversal. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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