A reversalof a process, policy, or trend is a complete change in it.
The Financial Times says the move represents a complete reversal of previous U.S.policy. [+ of]
This marked a 7% increase and the reversal of a steady five-year downward trend.
Synonyms: turnaround, U-turn, backtracking, turnabout More Synonyms of reversal
2. countable noun [noun NOUN]
When there is a role reversal or a reversal of roles, two people or groups exchange their positions or functions.
When children end up taking care of their parents, it is a strange role reversalindeed.
[Also + of]
3. countable noun [usually plural]
A reversal is a failure, usually involving the loss of money.
[formal]
They teach managers to accept reversals as a fact of business life.
Synonyms: failure, failing, loss, defeat More Synonyms of reversal
More Synonyms of reversal
reversal in British English
(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
reversal in American English
(rɪˈvɜrsəl)
noun
1.
a reversing or being reversed; esp., a change to the opposite as in one's fortune
2. Law
annulment, change, or revocation, as of a lower court's decision
Word origin
LME reversall: see reverse & -al
reversal in Retail
(rɪvɜrsəl)
Word forms: (regular plural) reversals
noun
(Retail: Management accounts)
A reversal happens when a buyer rejects or reverses a charge on their credit card, for example because they have not received goods ordered and the seller has not agreed to a refund.
A reversal is available only to users who make a payment funded by their credit or debit card.
A reversal is when a chargeback is reversed and the funds are returned to the merchant.
A reversal happens when a buyer rejects or reverses a charge on their credit card, for examplebecause they have not received goods ordered and the seller has not agreed to a refund.
Examples of 'reversal' in a sentence
reversal
In a perverse reversal of all her hopes and dreams, she had been granted the exact opposite of her heart's desire.
Garth Nix LIRAEL: DAUGHTER OF THE CLAYR (2001)
Then dy Jironal had that unfortunate reversal... we held the keep nine months against the Roknari forces.
Lois McMaster Bujold THE CURSE OF CHALION (2001)
In other languages
reversal
British English: reversal NOUN
A reversal of a process, policy, or trend is a complete change in it.
The move represents a complete reversal of previous government policy.
American English: reversal
Brazilian Portuguese: reversão
Chinese: 彻底改变
European Spanish: cambio
French: revirement
German: Umkehr
Italian: inversione
Japanese: 大転換
Korean: 역전
European Portuguese: reversão
Latin American Spanish: cambio radical
Chinese translation of 'reversal'
reversal
(rɪˈvəːsl)
n(c)
(= turnaround) 翻转(轉) (fānzhuǎn)
(= setback) 挫败(敗) (cuòbài)
1 (noun)
the reversal of a steady downward trend
Synonyms
turnaround
U-turn
backtracking
turnabout
shift
swing
The statistics show a swing towards the opposition parties.
change of heart
turnround
volte-face
paradigm shift
2 (noun)
a striking reversal of policy
Synonyms
change
overturning
setting aside
undoing
repeal
a repeal of the age of consent law
quashing
overruling
rescinding
retraction
revocation
abrogation
a dereliction of duty and an abrogation of responsibility
veto
3 (noun)
a strange role reversal
Synonyms
swap
If she ever fancies a job swap, I could be interested.
change
He stuffed a bag with a few changes of clothing.
trading
exchange
a free exchange of information
swapping
transposition
4 (noun)
They teach managers to accept reversal.
Synonyms
failure
The policy is doomed to failure.
failing
We are often unaware of our own failings.
loss
defeat
the final defeat of all his hopes
frustration
the frustration of their plan
breakdown
the irretrievable breakdown of his marriage
downfall
His lack of experience led to his downfall.
lack of success
Additional synonyms
in the sense of abrogation
a dereliction of duty and an abrogation of responsibility
Synonyms
revocation,
ending,
withdrawal,
scrapping (informal),
setting aside,
overriding,
voiding,
abolition,
reversal,
repeal,
cancellation,
quashing,
retraction,
repudiation,
annulment,
countermanding,
nullification,
rescission,
invalidation
in the sense of breakdown
Definition
an act or instance of breaking down
the irretrievable breakdown of his marriage
Synonyms
failure,
collapse,
foundering,
downfall,
disintegration,
lack of success
in the sense of defeat
Definition
the act of defeating or state of being defeated
the final defeat of all his hopes
Synonyms
frustration,
failure,
reverse,
disappointment,
setback,
thwarting
Synonyms of 'reversal'
reversal
Explore 'reversal' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of downfall
Definition
a sudden loss of position or reputation
His lack of experience led to his downfall.
Synonyms
ruin,
fall,
destruction,
collapse,
breakdown,
disgrace,
overthrow,
descent,
undoing,
comeuppance (slang),
comedown
in the sense of exchange
Definition
the act of exchanging
a free exchange of information
Synonyms
interchange,
dealing,
trade,
switch,
swap,
traffic,
trafficking,
truck,
swapping,
substitution,
barter,
bartering,
reciprocity,
tit for tat,
quid pro quo
in the sense of failing
Definition
a weak point
We are often unaware of our own failings.
Synonyms
shortcoming,
failure,
fault,
error,
weakness,
defect,
deficiency,
lapse,
flaw,
miscarriage,
drawback,
misfortune,
blemish,
imperfection,
frailty,
foible,
blind spot
in the sense of frustration
the frustration of their plan
Synonyms
obstruction,
blocking,
curbing,
foiling,
failure,
spoiling,
thwarting,
contravention,
circumvention,
nonfulfilment,
nonsuccess
in the sense of repeal
Definition
the act of repealing
a repeal of the age of consent law
Synonyms
abolition,
withdrawal,
cancellation,
rescinding,
annulment,
revocation,
nullification,
abrogation,
rescission,
invalidation,
rescindment
in the sense of swing
Definition
a sudden or extreme change, for example in some business activity or voting pattern
The statistics show a swing towards the opposition parties.