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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of reversals
Corrections then feel like reversals rather than refinements.
—
Charles Edward Gehrke, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026
This was bad enough for Starmer, coming after numerous reversals—on matters such as welfare policy and inheritance taxes for farmers—and the resignation of 11 cabinet ministers.
—Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026
Bruising policy reversals on a number of unrelated issues last year had already weakened Starmer's authority with his party.
—Emmet Lyons, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Target’s sales cratered, in part because consumers were angry about its DEI reversals.
—Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Wild threats, sudden policy reversals and intentionally confusing language have long been used to keep adversaries off balance and gain leverage.
—Andrew Latham, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026
The past week first showed some negative implications and then some reversals.
—Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Thompson argues that these reversals were also attacks on the advancements of the civil rights movement.
—Dan Sheehan, Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026
When leverage builds in such an environment, rallies can accelerate quickly but are also more vulnerable to abrupt reversals if sentiment shifts.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 19 Jan. 2026
Charles Edward Gehrke, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026
This was bad enough for Starmer, coming after numerous reversals—on matters such as welfare policy and inheritance taxes for farmers—and the resignation of 11 cabinet ministers.
—Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026
Bruising policy reversals on a number of unrelated issues last year had already weakened Starmer's authority with his party.
—Emmet Lyons, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Target’s sales cratered, in part because consumers were angry about its DEI reversals.
—Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Wild threats, sudden policy reversals and intentionally confusing language have long been used to keep adversaries off balance and gain leverage.
—Andrew Latham, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026
The past week first showed some negative implications and then some reversals.
—Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Thompson argues that these reversals were also attacks on the advancements of the civil rights movement.
—Dan Sheehan, Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026
When leverage builds in such an environment, rallies can accelerate quickly but are also more vulnerable to abrupt reversals if sentiment shifts.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 19 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reversals
Noun
-
Preparing in advance is the best way to avoid setbacks.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
8 Feb. 2026
-
The United States team of Minnesotans Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin suffered its first setbacks of the 2026 Winter Olympics on Saturday, defeated 6-4 by Great Britain and 6-5 in an extra end by South Korea in Cortina D’Ampezzo, Italy.—
Duluth News Tribune,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Most of those came on reverses or other wide runs.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The video then about-faces towards a utopia where people have toed the left-wing climate change line and saved the planet.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
23 Oct. 2025
-
As Alexandra Plakias has noted, philosophical about-faces should not scandalize us; they should be honored.—
Shai Tubali,
Big Think,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Bob Kupbens/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images To reach the Super Bowl, the Patriots engineered one of the biggest turnarounds in NFL history.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
-
San Diego State knew other programs would come calling for its top players following a 9-4 season that represented one of the biggest turnarounds in college football.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
But on Wednesday, Tchekmedyian and Pringle reported that Bass was involved in the revisions despite her earlier denials.—
Steve Lopez,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
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Focus on claim denials and regulate algorithmic pricing systems that redline and penalize Black and Brown communities.—
Phara Souffrant Forrest,
New York Daily News,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Minutes earlier, former reality television star Spencer Pratt stepped out of his Ford F150 and changed from flip-flops into sneakers before walking into the building to file his declaration to run for mayor.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Incidentally, this also indicates that flip-flops will continue to be on trend this coming spring, so stock your shoe racks accordingly.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reversals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reversals. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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