reversal

/rɪˈvʌrsəl/

/rɪˈvʌsəl/

Other forms: reversals

A reversal is a change of decision or direction, often to the opposite. You liked history, but thought you'd major in business because there were more jobs. Then you took an economics class and hated it. So in a reversal, you majored in history after all.

In legal terms, a reversal is when a high court decides the decision of a lower court is incorrect and should be overturned. In a reversal, the Supreme Court overturned the guilty verdict of the lower court, and the prisoner was set free. A setback or a change in circumstances for the worse is also a reversal. If you make poor investments, you may suffer a reversal in fortune and go from shopping for designer clothes to shopping at thrift stores.

Definitions of reversal

1. noun

   the act of reversing the order or place of
   synonyms: transposition

   type of:

   reordering

   a rearrangement in a different order
2. noun

   turning in the opposite direction
   synonyms: reverse, reversion, turnabout, turnaround

   types:

   about turn, about-face

   act of pivoting 180 degrees, especially in a military formation

   u-turn

   complete reversal of direction of travel

   type of:

   change of direction, reorientation

   the act of changing the direction in which something is oriented
3. noun

   turning in an opposite direction or position
   “the reversal of the image in the lens”

   synonyms: turn around

   type of:

   turn, turning

   a movement in a new direction
4. noun

   a change from one state to the opposite state
   “there was a reversal of autonomic function”

   types:

   regress, regression, retrogression, retroversion, reversion

   returning to a former state

   type of:

   change of state

   the act of changing something into something different in essential characteristics
5. noun

   a major change in attitude or principle or point of view
   synonyms: about-face, policy change, volte-face

   types:

   undoing

   an act that makes a previous act of no effect (as if not done)

   type of:

   change

   the action of changing something
6. noun

   a decision to reverse an earlier decision
   synonyms: change of mind, flip-flop, turnabout, turnaround

   types:

   afterthought, reconsideration, rethink, second thought

   thinking again about a choice previously made

   type of:

   deciding, decision making

   the cognitive process of reaching a decision
7. noun

   a judgment by a higher court that the judgment of a lower court was incorrect and should be set aside
   antonyms:

   affirmation

   a judgment by a higher court that the judgment of a lower court was correct and should stand

   type of:

   judgement, judgment, judicial decision

   (law) the determination by a court of competent jurisdiction on matters submitted to it
8. noun

   an unfortunate happening that hinders or impedes; something that is thwarting or frustrating
   synonyms: black eye, blow, reverse, setback

   types:

   whammy

   a serious or devastating setback

   hiccup

   a minor or temporary error or setback

   type of:

   happening, natural event, occurrence, occurrent

   an event that happens