Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com

reversal of fortune

NOUN
setback
Synonyms
STRONGEST
blow defeat delay difficulty hindrance impediment misfortune obstacle reversal set-back slowdown stumbling block trouble
STRONG
about-face bath check comedown flip-flop hitch rebuff regress regression reverse upset
WEAK
backset drawing board holdup whole new ballgame
Antonyms
STRONGEST
advance advantage aid assistance blessing expedition furtherance help
WEAK
achievement boon boost success

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

This season has represented a stunning reversal of fortune for the Knicks, appearing in their first Finals since 1999 after decades as one of the worst teams in the league.

From BBC ● Jun. 9, 2026

That’s not simply a reversal of fortune: It’s like buying the winning lottery ticket with your very last dollar.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 5, 2026

The success of the bearded, ass-kicking Ranger marked a stunning reversal of fortune for Norris, who grew up a shy, unathletic child, who "used to daydream about being strong...to beat up the bullies".

From Barron's ● Mar. 20, 2026

But investors might not be aware of the fact that extreme positioning in the options market can sometimes portend a reversal of fortune ahead.

From MarketWatch ● Mar. 4, 2026

Embedded in the history of the gene is “the quest for eternal youth, the Faustian myth of abrupt reversal of fortune, and our own century’s flirtation with the perfectibility of man.”

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Join 12,000,000 vocabulary learners

Start learning new words today on VocabTrainer.
You'll remember them forever.

Start training