reversal
noun
re·ver·sal
ri-ˈvər-səl
1
: an act or the process of reversing
2
: a conversion of a photographic positive into a negative or vice versa
3
: a change (as of fortune) often for the worse
Examples of reversal in a Sentence
In a sudden reversal, the mayor has decided not to run for reelection.
the reversal of a decision
a surprising reversal in the value of the stock
We had a role reversal. I became the leader and he became the follower.
In a reversal of roles, he is now taking care of his mother.
Reversal of the decision is unlikely.
Recent Examples on the Web
The reversal, perhaps typical of our time, is that, whereas the Welles broadcast was a program that, heard indoors, thrust people in terror out-of-doors, our drone panic involves an outdoor occurrence that people race inside to make sense of.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2024
Yet in a few respects, a bit of wobbly action in the indexes, surge in volatility and reversals in some of the more overheated assets were overdue and probably necessary to test the bull market against higher bond yields and a more-foggy policy horizon.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 21 Dec. 2024
But such policies could be subject to new executive orders or reversals.
—Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024
President-elect Donald Trump might kill a ban on TikTok if its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, doesn’t sell the popular app, which is a sharp policy reversal from his first term.
—Annabella Rosciglione, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 17 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for reversal
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Word History
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of reversal was
in the 15th century
Phrases Containing reversal
Dictionary Entries Near reversal
Cite this Entry
“Reversal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reversal. Accessed 26 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
reversal
noun
re·ver·sal
ri-ˈvər-səl
: an act or the process of reversing
Medical Definition
reversal
noun
re·ver·sal
ri-ˈvər-səl
: an act or the process of reversing
Legal Definition
reversal
noun
re·ver·sal
1
: an act or the process of reversing
2
: an instance of reversing
the reversal of the lower court's decision
More from Merriam-Webster on reversal
Nglish: Translation of reversal for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of reversal for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about reversal
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