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

Recent Examples on the Web Three years later, the Heisman Trust pointed to the same changes to college athletics as the reason for its about-face on Bush. Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2024 New aid for Ukraine came only after Republican Speaker Mike Johnson, who once opposed it, did an about-face and put his job on the line to get it through, amid threats from three far right Republicans to oust him. Nbc Universal, NBC News, 21 Apr. 2024 In Baghdad, memories are still vivid of Washington’s about-face when President Barack Obama came to office pledging to withdraw from Iraq only to send U.S. forces back three years later as ISIS gained ground. Mina Al-Oraibi, Foreign Affairs, 12 Apr. 2024 Biden suggested the reason for his about-face was that Hyde's restrictions would interfere with his desire to provide a broad range of health services to women. David Jackson, USA TODAY, 13 Apr. 2024 Since then, the Philippines' more China-friendly policies under the previous government have done an about-face under the country's current President Marcos, who has made defending Manila's territorial claims of the Spratly Islands a priority. Emily Feng, NPR, 11 Apr. 2024 Cappiello talked with us about Monte Rio Cellars and explained his seeming about-face on natural wine. Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 7 Apr. 2024 Some outsiders were embarrassed by the board's about-face. Kelly Meyerhofer, Journal Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2024 But Canada might have a fight on its hands that mirrors what the U.S. government was up against before its about-face. IEEE Spectrum, 16 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'about-face.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 28 Apr. 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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