reversal

noun

re·​ver·​sal ri-ˈvər-səl How to pronounce reversal (audio)
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 difference now, of course, is that the latest EEOC decision comes after the reversal of Roe v. Wade. Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2024 Shepard noted what a reversal this would be from longtime presumptions about the votes of various age groups. Ron Elving, NPR, 13 Apr. 2024 In a study that included 113 million people in all four US Census regions, researchers found that since the reversal, both vasectomies and tubal ligations — sometimes called having your tubes tied — increased significantly in people ages 18 to 30. Madeline Holcombe, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024 The movie contains many of Park’s trademarks—a reversal at the midpoint, washes of hyperreal green, a chamber of private violence, octopus stuff—and is the first to fully marry his intensity and his restraint. Jia Tolentino, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024 Menopause Is Finally Going Mainstream Ryan is among those eager to see additional data on the reversal question, which has implications for the millions of women who get pregnant every year. Alice Park, TIME, 8 Apr. 2024 In a swift and strong-armed reversal of fortune, the young couple were immediately surrounded by security guards and escorted underneath the stands. Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2024 The dispute represents at least the fourth conflict between the prosecutor and judge in the high-profile case, with two reversals of Cannon rulings already from the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 5 Apr. 2024 What Nvidia’s reversal means for investors | Smart Investing Most Popular Slide 1 of 16 Is Nvidia in a bubble that’s about to burst? Quartz, 3 Apr. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'reversal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near reversal

Cite this Entry

“Reversal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reversal. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

reversal

noun
re·​ver·​sal ri-ˈvər-səl How to pronounce reversal (audio)
: an act or the process of reversing

Medical Definition

reversal

noun
re·​ver·​sal ri-ˈvər-səl How to pronounce reversal (audio)
: 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

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