reversal

[ri-vur-suhl]

noun

1. an act or instance of reversing.

2. the state of being reversed.

3. an adverse change of fortune; reverse.

4. Law.,  the setting aside of a decision of a lower court by a higher court.

reversal

/ rɪˈvɜːsəl /

noun

1. the act or an instance of reversing

2. a change for the worse; reverse

   a reversal of fortune

3. the state of being reversed

4. the annulment of a judicial decision, esp by an appeal court on grounds of error or irregularity

Other Word Forms

• prereversal noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of reversal¹

First recorded in 1480–90; reverse + -al ²

Example Sentences

“To have our healthcare under attack, to have our families under attack — that’s a huge reversal in how we are recognizing essential workers,” De La Cruz said.

From Los Angeles Times

Removing the refund guarantee on top of the addition of assigned seating feels like a huge reversal, she said.

From Los Angeles Times

What might once have been a footnote in a quarterly earnings report has become a recognizable genre: the corporate reversal, performed in public, equal parts contrition and spectacle.

From Salon

“The hiring of an election conspiracy theorist with no election knowledge or expertise is the culmination of this reversal,” Becker said.

From Salon

It marks a reversal of last year's 0.4% lead for female students.

From BBC

Related Words

• U-turn 
• annulment 
• cancellation 
• repeal 
• switch 
• turnabout 
• turnaround