1
as in setbacks
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hesitations
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
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Recent Examples of reversals
For 50 years, the case has generated theories and verdicts and reversals and books and television specials.
—
Kate Casey, Vanity Fair, 2 June 2026
The reversals, recoveries, and successes often receive far less coverage.
—Ingmar Rentzhog, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
Two reversals and a vindication For the OpenAI CEO, his comments walk back his prophecy on AI’s impact on labor.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 26 May 2026
His tenure has been marked by internal tension, policy reversals and a lack of clear direction right as Britain faces enormous challenges.
—Inaya Folarin Iman, CBS News, 19 May 2026
On the right, Bianco and Hilton argue for dramatic reversals of signature Democratic policies — from ending sanctuary protections to rolling back climate regulations — contending that bold, partisan realignment in Sacramento is necessary to address crime, energy prices, and housing.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2026
At the core of today’s tensions are ideological reversals.
—Sarah Davanzo, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2026
Rejections and reversals of prior directives at the FDA division responsible for reviewing cell and gene therapies have destabilized the already shaky footing of this field.
—Ed Silverman, STAT, 6 May 2026
The Supreme Court upheld the reversals, and the three men later pleaded to voluntary manslaughter counts — resulting in them being paroled — under an agreement that required them to admit to being responsible for Tyree’s death in open court.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 27 Apr. 2026
Kate Casey, Vanity Fair, 2 June 2026
The reversals, recoveries, and successes often receive far less coverage.
—Ingmar Rentzhog, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
Two reversals and a vindication For the OpenAI CEO, his comments walk back his prophecy on AI’s impact on labor.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 26 May 2026
His tenure has been marked by internal tension, policy reversals and a lack of clear direction right as Britain faces enormous challenges.
—Inaya Folarin Iman, CBS News, 19 May 2026
On the right, Bianco and Hilton argue for dramatic reversals of signature Democratic policies — from ending sanctuary protections to rolling back climate regulations — contending that bold, partisan realignment in Sacramento is necessary to address crime, energy prices, and housing.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2026
At the core of today’s tensions are ideological reversals.
—Sarah Davanzo, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2026
Rejections and reversals of prior directives at the FDA division responsible for reviewing cell and gene therapies have destabilized the already shaky footing of this field.
—Ed Silverman, STAT, 6 May 2026
The Supreme Court upheld the reversals, and the three men later pleaded to voluntary manslaughter counts — resulting in them being paroled — under an agreement that required them to admit to being responsible for Tyree’s death in open court.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 27 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reversals
Noun
-
Moscow’s efforts to recruit students for its own expert drone units have been mired in distrust and setbacks, according to Stepanenko, after Russia’s Ministry of Defense committed some drone operators to frontline ground assaults.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
-
That aside, there has been precious little obvious progress and some notable setbacks.—
Anand Menon,
Time,
13 June 2026
Noun
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Ads, in fact, represent one of the biggest about-faces for Netflix, given that choosing to go down this road required the company building an entirely new infrastructure — from ad tech and measurement tools, to sales teams and advertiser relationships.—
Andy Meek,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
-
The Chapek chapter and previous succession about-faces that saw presumed heirs-apparent like Tom Staggs leave the company were blemishes on Iger’s otherwise strong record.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The year ahead now promises multiple serious reverses.—
David Miliband,
Time,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Most of those came on reverses or other wide runs.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Edmondson says Ford’s experience under CEO Alan Mulally exemplified the principle that turnarounds are works-in-progress that improve with honest feedback.—
Claire Zillman,
Fortune,
12 June 2026
-
There is a version of leadership that confuses visibility with impact, equating big initiatives and dramatic turnarounds with strong leadership.—
Monica Cutia,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
Those entry denials, which came amid months of military conflict between the two countries, forced the Iranian national team to move its training camp to Mexico instead of Arizona, where they were originally scheduled to stay.—
Camilo Montoya-Galvez,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
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The game flipped right after with a 10-2 spearheaded by Brunson, who no longer faced a flurry of denials on every single offensive possession.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
The climbing in flip-flops was impressive.—
Matt Reigle OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
21 June 2026
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Allbirds was started in 2007 by former pro football player Tim Brown in 2007 as a direct-to-consumer brand before changing to sell product in retail stores and expanding from sneakers to other clothing items such as flip-flops and leggings.—
Lily Wright,
Los Angeles Times,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reversals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reversals. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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