re ‧ vers ‧ al AC /rɪˈvɜːs ə l $ -ɜːr-/ BrE AmE noun
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ reversal , ↑ reverse ; adjective : ↑ reverse , ↑ reversible ≠ ↑ irreversible ; verb : ↑ reverse ]
1 . [uncountable and countable] a change to an opposite arrangement, process, or way of doing something ⇨ turnaround
reversal of/in
a sudden reversal of government policy
dramatic/sudden/complete reversal
a dramatic reversal in population decline
Some Internet firms have suffered a painful reversal of fortune (=they were successful but now they are not) .
Some carers and dependants find it difficult to adapt to a role reversal.
2 . [countable] a failure or other problem that prevents you from being able to do what you want:
In spite of setbacks and reversals, his business was at last making money.