as in reversal
a changing from one policy or point of view to virtually its exact opposite
the candidate's frequent about-faces on issues disturbs many voters
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Recent Examples of about-face
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, Orlando Sentinel, 17 Mar. 2025
The post didn’t allow comments, but that didn’t stop the online discourse over his about-face.
—Philissa Cramer, Sun Sentinel, 17 Mar. 2025
The about-face, economists and trade experts say, has the potential to transform international trade, reducing global connections while creating incentives to produce more goods in the U.S.
What are the goals of retaliatory tariffs?
—Caitlin Babcock, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Mar. 2025
The latest episode: Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's about-face on Republican's spending bill.
—Averi Harper, ABC News, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for about-face
Noun
That about-face, which has yet to be discussed at a public meeting, is deeply regrettable.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, Orlando Sentinel, 17 Mar. 2025
The post didn’t allow comments, but that didn’t stop the online discourse over his about-face.
—Philissa Cramer, Sun Sentinel, 17 Mar. 2025
The about-face, economists and trade experts say, has the potential to transform international trade, reducing global connections while creating incentives to produce more goods in the U.S.
What are the goals of retaliatory tariffs?
—Caitlin Babcock, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Mar. 2025
The latest episode: Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's about-face on Republican's spending bill.
—Averi Harper, ABC News, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for about-face
Recent Examples of Synonyms for about-face
Noun
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These figures represent a dramatic reversal from 1980, when the figure for the U.S. was about 30% and for China about 5%.—
Hersh Shefrin,
Forbes,
22 Mar. 2025
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In a major policy reversal, the SEC rescinded Staff Accounting Bulletin 121 — a controversial rule that required banks to treat crypto assets as liabilities on their balance sheets.—
MacKenzie Sigalos,Ari Levy,
CNBC,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The group of charities are calling on the government to revert this evidence threshold, as well as cutting time limits for people to submit reconsideration and afford them better access to information and legal advice.—
Frey Lindsay,
Forbes,
20 Mar. 2025
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Catch up fast: If the House doesn't act, D.C. will have to revert back to the previous fiscal year's funding levels — a reduction that officials have warned would affect police, schools, and other departments.—
Mimi Montgomery,
Axios,
17 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Originally slated to feature men’s and women’s college basketball teams representing the MEAC, SWAC, SIAC, and CIAA, the invitational has pivoted to Division II programs.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Mar. 2025
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In early 2020, as global supply chains collapsed and businesses scrambled to adjust, some organizations pivoted quickly.—
Scott Hutcheson,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Britain is not the only country pressed into making a volte-face.—
London Business School,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
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The realities of Putin’s momentum, coupled with Washington’s volte-face, have led to a clear mood shift in Kyiv.—
Daryna Mayer,
NBC News,
13 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Military Pullback in Europe Militarily, Trump could rescind the large presence the U.S. military has for decades maintained in Europe without making formal pronouncements about NATO.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
22 Mar. 2025
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And last month, citing the president's pledge to eliminate federal diversity, equity and inclusion programs, the Trump administration decided to rescind an anticipated $75 million in grant funding.—
Alana Wise,
NPR,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Moving away from her usual hairstyles, Rihanna opted for a straight midi-bob cut that curved in at the tips and rested on her shoulders.—
Teresa Romero Martínez,
Glamour,
22 Mar. 2025
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See the conservatory, the rose garden, the Great Lawn, and the Bayou Boardwalk that stretches out over the river and curves back toward land.—
Caroline Rogers,
Southern Living,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Missouri banned almost all abortions in 2022, when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe.—
Summer Ballentine,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Mar. 2025
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Endangerment would require overturning a U.S. Supreme Court decision.—
Jan Ellen Spiegel,
Hartford Courant,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Also Board 2025 Premiere Dates For New & Returning Series On Broadcast, Cable & Streaming Produced by Imagine Documentaries, the series bows Sunday on linear Nat Geo before a next-day streaming premiere on Disney+ and Hulu.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
21 Mar. 2025
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Holding a bouquet of yellow roses, the six-time Emmy Award nominee, 45, bowed to thunderous applause from the enthusiastic crowd, including his former The Little Mermaid costars Sierra Boggess and Sherie Rene Scott.—
Dave Quinn,
People.com,
19 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“About-face.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/about-face. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
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