1. A change from one state to the opposite state
   "there was a reversal of autonomic function"
    
2. Turning in the opposite direction
   "The reversal of the court's decision came as a surprise";
   - reversion, reverse, turnabout [N. Amer], turnaround
    
3. The act of reversing the order or place of
   "The reversal of the magnetic poles occurs every few hundred thousand years";
   - transposition
    
4. An unfortunate happening that hinders or impedes; something that is thwarting or frustrating
   "The project faced a major reversal when funding was cut";
   - reverse, setback, blow, black eye
    
5. A decision to reverse an earlier decision
   "The politician's reversal on the key issue cost him support";
   - change of mind, flip-flop, turnabout [N. Amer], turnaround, U-turn [informal]
    
6. (law) a judgment by a higher court that the judgment of a lower court was incorrect and should be set aside
   "The appeals court issued a reversal of the original verdict"
    
7. A major change in attitude, principle or point of view
   "His reversal on the issue surprised his supporters";
   - about-face, volte-face, policy change

Derived forms: reversals

Type of: change, change of direction, change of state, deciding, decision making, happening, judgement, judgment, judicial decision, natural event, occurrence, occurrent, reordering, reorientation

Antonym: affirmation

Encyclopedia: Reversal