Reversals — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ri-ˈvər-səl/ re·ver·sal

Meaning & Definition of Reversals

Reversals (noun)

  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
  4. a formal operation in mathematical physics that reverses the order in which a sequence of events occurs

Reversals (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a change in status for the worse usually temporarily

    "the company's long-term strategy is sound, and they should be able to weather this latest reversal"

    similar: knocks, lapses, reverses, setbacks
    related: disappointments, frustrations, letdowns, comedowns, declines, descents, downfalls, downs, falls, turnabouts, turnarounds, recessions, regressions, retrogressions, reversions, relapses, breakdowns, collapses, crashes, meltdowns, ruins, undoings
    near: status quos

  2. a changing from one policy or point of view to virtually its exact opposite

    "parents need to be consistent in their discipline policy, as reversals will only undermine the whole process"

    similar: about-faces, about-turns (British), flip-flops, turnabouts, turnarounds, U-turns, volte-faces, changes of heart
    related: bait and switches, switcheroos, denials, disaffirmances, disavowals, disownments, recantations, renunciations, repudiations, retractions, reconsiderations, retreats, second thoughts, hesitations, indecisions, irresolutions, vacillations, wobblings

Related Entry: Reversal (noun)

Reversal is a different word from Reversals. The synonyms below are for reversal, not for reversals.

  1. a change in status for the worse usually temporarily

    "the company's long-term strategy is sound, and they should be able to weather this latest reversal"

    similar: knock, lapse, reverse, setback
    related: disappointment, frustration, letdown, comedown, decline, descent, down, downfall, fall, turnabout, turnaround, recession, regression, retrogression, reversion, relapse, breakdown, collapse, crash, meltdown, ruin, undoing
    near: status quo

  2. a changing from one policy or point of view to virtually its exact opposite

    "parents need to be consistent in their discipline policy, as reversals will only undermine the whole process"

    similar: about-face, about-turn (British), flip-flop, turnabout, turnaround, U-turn, volte-face, change of heart
    related: bait and switch, switcheroo, denial, disaffirmance, disavowal, disownment, recantation, renunciation, repudiation, retraction, reconsideration, retreat, second thought, hesitation, indecision, irresolution, shilly-shallying, vacillation, wavering, wobbling

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Reversals

The most common words with a similar meaning to Reversals:

British: about-turns
knocks, lapses, reverses, setbacks, about-faces, flip-flops, turnabouts, turnarounds, U-turns, volte-faces, changes of heart

Related Words for Reversals

disappointments, frustrations, letdowns, comedowns, declines, descents, downfalls, downs, falls, recessions, regressions, retrogressions, reversions, relapses, breakdowns, collapses, crashes, meltdowns, ruins, undoings, bait and switches, switcheroos, denials, disaffirmances, disavowals, disownments, recantations, renunciations, repudiations, retractions

Near Antonyms of Reversals

status quos

Origin & Etymology of Reversals

First known use: 15th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Reversals

What does "Reversals" mean?

"Reversals" means an act or the process of reversing. As a noun, it is defined as: an act or the process of reversing. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Reversals"?

Other words for "Reversals" include knocks, lapses, reverses, setbacks, about-faces, about-turns, flip-flops and turnabouts. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Reversals" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Reversals"?

There are 50 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Reversals". Common alternatives include knocks, lapses, reverses, setbacks, about-faces, about-turns, flip-flops, turnabouts, turnarounds and U-turns.

How do you use "Reversals" in a sentence?

Examples of "Reversals" in a sentence: "the company's long-term strategy is sound, and they should be able to weather this latest reversal"; "parents need to be consistent in their discipline policy, as reversals will only undermine the whole process".

Is "Reversals" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Reversals" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Reversals"?

"Reversals" is pronounced /ri-ˈvər-səl/ and divided into syllables as re·ver·sal.

What is the origin of the word "Reversals"?

First known use: 15th century.

What is another word for "Reversals" meaning "a change in status for the worse usually temporarily"?

When "Reversals" (noun) means a change in status for the worse usually temporarily, synonyms include knocks, lapses, reverses and setbacks.