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
Novels don’t owe us stories of triumph or surprising reversals of fate, but Kin’s leaning into the expected makes the novel good, not great.
—
Tembe Denton-Hurst, Vulture, 24 Feb. 2026
Four days of grapples, reversals and takedowns are on deck at Grand Casino Arena.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 24 Feb. 2026
Punctuating a dream season with the comeback victory, Corder (43-1) used two dramatic reversals at the beginning and end of the match.
—Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026
War warnings, policy reversals, the hunt for AI victims, more than one putative $1 trillion private company looming over the public markets – there's plenty going on.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 23 Feb. 2026
That the president is now on defense after a stunning first year of disruptive policy moves has been evident in his recent losses and reversals.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 21 Feb. 2026
Despite the reversals, none of the four were ever formally cleared — until now.
—Julianna Duennes Russ, Austin American Statesman, 19 Feb. 2026
Health experts say Kennedy has made sweeping reversals on these statements.
—Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 13 Feb. 2026
Corrections then feel like reversals rather than refinements.
—Charles Edward Gehrke, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026
Tembe Denton-Hurst, Vulture, 24 Feb. 2026
Four days of grapples, reversals and takedowns are on deck at Grand Casino Arena.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 24 Feb. 2026
Punctuating a dream season with the comeback victory, Corder (43-1) used two dramatic reversals at the beginning and end of the match.
—Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026
War warnings, policy reversals, the hunt for AI victims, more than one putative $1 trillion private company looming over the public markets – there's plenty going on.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 23 Feb. 2026
That the president is now on defense after a stunning first year of disruptive policy moves has been evident in his recent losses and reversals.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 21 Feb. 2026
Despite the reversals, none of the four were ever formally cleared — until now.
—Julianna Duennes Russ, Austin American Statesman, 19 Feb. 2026
Health experts say Kennedy has made sweeping reversals on these statements.
—Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 13 Feb. 2026
Corrections then feel like reversals rather than refinements.
—Charles Edward Gehrke, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reversals
Noun
-
Apollo and other private equity firms are facing a variety of setbacks as of late, including declining returns, longer holding periods and investment exit concerns against a challenging backdrop for fundraising.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
28 Feb. 2026
-
The 12-day barrage came on the back of a series of setbacks for Iran’s leaders, including the crippling of its regional allies Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.—
Brian Bennett,
Time,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Most of those came on reverses or other wide runs.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Sep. 2025
Noun
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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
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The Pistons had one of the most remarkable turnarounds in league history last season and ended a 15-game losing streak in the playoffs in the first round against the New York Knicks, but they were eliminated.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Feb. 2026
-
In such a campaign, having the B-2s, as well as B-1 and B-52 bombers, using bases thousands of miles closer to Iran would enable quicker turnarounds to rearm and refuel for more strikes.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
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These denials are on top of the harassment and violence that trans people can face in health care settings and the struggles to access preventive screenings for conditions like cancer, compared to their cisgender peers.—
O. Rose Broderick,
STAT,
27 Feb. 2026
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The denials were reiterated in Friday's lawsuit filings.—
Austin Turner,
CBS News,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Ahmed wore a black T-shirt, flip-flops, and navy-blue gym shorts; his eyes darted around constantly.—
Elizabeth Flock,
New Yorker,
23 Feb. 2026
-
The company sells flip-flops and related items online and through retailers.—
Brian Womack,
Dallas Morning News,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reversals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reversals. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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