1
: a 180° turn to the right from the position of attention
2
: a reversal of direction
3
: a reversal of attitude, behavior, or point of view
about-face intransitive verb

Examples of about-face in a Sentence

the candidate's frequent about-faces on issues disturbs many voters
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
After nearly two decades of enchanting holiday shoppers with its elaborate light displays, Saks Fifth Avenue suddenly canceled this year’s installation, an about-face from statements made less than a month ago. Madeline Fitzgerald, Quartz, 13 Nov. 2024 The Post has similarly been critiqued for the last-minute about-face. Liam Reilly, CNN, 26 Oct. 2024 The latter has been best exemplified in the remarkable about-face by the premier association of American CEOs, the Business Roundtable. Michael Useem, Fortune Asia, 24 Oct. 2024 The third payment, which is the one that triggered Taylor’s about-face, would give them a control stake in both teams; the fourth would buy out Taylor entirely. Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 22 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for about-face 

Word History

Etymology

from the imperative phrase about face, from about entry 1 + face entry 2

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of about-face was in 1835

Dictionary Entries Near about-face

Cite this Entry

“About-face.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/about-face. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

about-face

noun
ə-ˈbau̇t-ˈfās
1
: a reversal of direction
2
: a reversal of attitude or point of view
about-face verb

More from Merriam-Webster on about-face

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