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Synonyms

reversal

American  
[ri-vur-suhl] / rɪˈvɜr səl /

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 British  
/ 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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • prereversal noun

Etymology

Origin of reversal

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

If automakers like GM were under the gun to go electric again, it would likely be a costly reversal for Magna and other suppliers.

From The Wall Street Journal

The stellar performance is a reversal for the dollar, which had been down 0.7% for the year before the start of the Iran war.

From Barron's

The stellar performance is a reversal for the dollar, which had been down 0.7% for the year before the start of the Iran war.

From Barron's

Now, on net, we export, thanks to fracking and the reversal of many energy restrictions.

From The Wall Street Journal

He scowled as he took it, peeved by this unsettling reversal of roles.

From Literature

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.