reversal
gb/ɹɪvˈɚsəl/ us/ɹɪvˈɚsəl/
B2
English
~ 8000
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
event
1
change to the opposite
A change that makes something go or be the opposite of what it was before.
Usage pattern:
a reversal of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *reversion* instead of *reversal* for everyday changes (e.g., *a reversion of policy*). In general English, *reversal* is the natural choice for changes to the opposite, especially with decisions, policies, and trends.
Synonyms
U-turn (Often used in politics and everyday speech for a sudden, clear change to the opposite position; more informal.)
|
about-face (Stresses a sharp, decisive change, especially in opinion or policy; can sound slightly dramatic.)
Antonyms
continuation (Emphasizes that something keeps going in the same direction or way instead of changing to the opposite.)
Collocations
policy reversal
|sudden reversal
|dramatic reversal
|complete reversal
|reversal of policy
|reversal of trend
Themes
politics
|business
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The government’s reversal on tax cuts surprised many voters.
- After weeks of losses, the team enjoyed a welcome reversal in form.
- We’ve seen a complete reversal of attitudes toward working from home.
- The company announced a reversal of its decision to close the factory.
- Meteorologists are predicting a reversal in the current warming trend.
Learner examples
- There was a sudden reversal in the company’s plan.
- We need a reversal of this negative trend.
- The teacher made a reversal of her first decision.
- The story takes a reversal at the end.
- They called his move a reversal of policy.
Noun
C1
event
2
defeat or serious setback
A defeat or big problem that stops progress or success for a person, group, or plan.
Usage pattern:
a [major/serious] reversal for [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners may think *reversal* in this sense always means a complete change to the opposite. Here it often means a defeat or loss that harms progress, not necessarily a full change to the opposite situation.
Synonyms
setback (Very close in meaning; the most common everyday alternative for a negative event that slows or harms progress.)
Antonyms
breakthrough (Describes a sudden, important success that pushes progress forward, opposite to a reversal that pushes it back.)
Collocations
major reversal
|serious reversal
|suffer a reversal
|a reversal for the government
|a reversal for the campaign
|unexpected reversal
Themes
politics
|sports
|business
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The loss of key seats in the election was a major reversal for the ruling party.
- The product recall marked a serious reversal in the company’s growth plans.
- Injury to their star player dealt a painful reversal to the team’s title hopes.
- The court’s decision was seen as a sharp reversal for climate activists.
- The campaign has suffered one reversal after another this year.
Learner examples
- The bad news was a major reversal for the project.
- Losing the match was a big reversal for the team.
- The company’s image took a reversal after the scandal.
- This result is a serious reversal for the new mayor.
- They hope to recover from this early reversal.
unknown
technical
C1
event
3
overturning a court decision
In law, when a higher court says a lower court’s decision was wrong and changes or cancels it.
Usage pattern:
the reversal of [a decision/ruling/verdict]
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize that *reversal* in legal news is almost always about a higher court changing a lower court’s decision, not just any change of opinion.
Synonyms
overturning (Common legal and journalistic term highlighting that a previous judgment is declared wrong and no longer valid.)
Antonyms
upholding (Refers to a higher court confirming and keeping a lower court’s decision instead of reversing it.)
Collocations
reversal on appeal
|Supreme Court reversal
|reversal of conviction
|reversal of the ruling
|landmark reversal
|court-ordered reversal
Themes
law
|politics
Examples
- The Supreme Court’s reversal of the earlier ruling sparked nationwide debate.
- Lawyers say the reversal of his conviction came far too late.
- The appeal ended in a complete reversal of the trial court’s decision.
- Civil rights groups welcomed the reversal as a victory for voters.
- This case could lead to a historic reversal of long-standing precedent.
Learner examples
- The reversal of the decision came from a higher court.
- Her lawyer hopes for a reversal of the verdict.
- The appeal ended in a full reversal of the case.
- News of the reversal of his conviction was on TV.
- Many people protested the court’s reversal.
Noun
C1
event
4
exchange of usual roles
When two people or groups take each other’s normal roles or jobs.
Usage pattern:
a reversal of roles
Common mistake:
Learners may try to say *change of roles* in contexts where English speakers prefer the fixed expression *reversal of roles* or *role reversal*.
Synonyms
role swap (More informal; stresses a simple exchange of roles, often in a playful or temporary context.)
Antonyms
traditional roles (Refers to keeping the usual or expected division of roles, without exchanging them.)
Collocations
role reversal
|a complete reversal of roles
|gender role reversal
|comic role reversal
|surprising reversal of roles
Themes
relationships
|society
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The film is built around a clever reversal of roles between parent and child.
- There’s been a noticeable gender role reversal in many modern households.
- The sketch ends with a humorous reversal of roles, as the students start teaching the professor.
- The reversal of roles on stage helped the audience see the issue from a new angle.
- This kind of role reversal can reveal hidden power dynamics in a relationship.
Learner examples
- The play shows a fun reversal of roles.
- In this story, there is a role reversal between boss and worker.
- We had a reversal of roles: I cooked, and she fixed the car.
- The movie uses a gender role reversal.
- This game is about a complete reversal of roles.
Grammar
Dictionary form
reversal
IPA
GB/ɹɪvˈɚsəl/
US/ɹɪvˈɚsəl/
Syllables & stress
re - versal (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (versal)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: reversal
- Plural: reversal, reversals
Word family
Forms
reversals
noun
Core family
reverse
verb B1
Related words
reversible
adjective
reversibly
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
irreversible
adjective
irreversibly
adverb
Advanced or less common
reversibility
noun
irreversibility
noun
Expressions
policy reversal
1/pˈɑlɪsi ɹɪvˈɚsəl/
fixed phrase
change or cancellation of a policy
When a government or organization changes a policy to the opposite, or cancels it completely.
Examples
- Environmental groups welcomed the policy reversal on offshore drilling.
- The sudden policy reversal left businesses unsure how to plan.
- Analysts say a policy reversal on tariffs is unlikely before the election.
reversal of fortune
1/ɹɪvˈɚsəl əv fˈɔɹt͡ʃun/
idiom
sudden change in luck or situation
A big change in someone’s life or situation, usually from good to bad or from bad to good.
Examples
- After a sudden reversal of fortune, he went from millionaire to bankrupt in a single year.
- The book tells the story of a dramatic reversal of fortune for a poor village.
- Winning the lawsuit marked a welcome reversal of fortune for the small business.
role reversal
1/ɹˈoʊl ɹɪvˈɚsəl/
fixed phrase
two sides swap usual roles
A situation where two people or groups take each other’s usual roles or jobs.
Examples
- There’s an interesting role reversal in this episode, with the children acting like parents.
- The comedy depends on a role reversal between the strict teacher and her relaxed student.
- Many couples experience a role reversal when one partner loses their job.
suffer a reversal
1/sˈʌfɚ ə ɹɪvˈɚsəl/
fixed phrase
experience a defeat or setback
To have a defeat or serious problem that stops or hurts your progress or success.
Examples
- The campaign suffered a major reversal after the debate.
- Several tech firms suffered a reversal in profits last quarter.
- The team suffered a painful reversal in the final minutes of the game.
trend reversal
1/tɹˈɛnd ɹɪvˈɚsəl/
fixed phrase
technical
change in direction of a trend
When a line or pattern in data, especially prices or sales, stops going one way and starts going the other way.
Examples
- Investors are watching closely for any sign of a trend reversal in the housing market.
- The sudden trend reversal caught many traders by surprise.
- Analysts say this may be a short pause rather than a true trend reversal.