turnabout

noun

turn·​about ˈtərn-ə-ˌbau̇t 

1

a

: a change or reversal of direction, trend, policy, role, or character

b

: a changing from one allegiance to another

c

: turncoat, renegade

d

: an act or instance of retaliating

turnabout is fair play

2

: merry-go-round

Synonyms

• about-face
• about-turn [British]
• flip-flop
• reversal
• turnaround
• U-turn
• volte-face

Examples of turnabout in a Sentence

employees regarded the latest turnabout as a sure sign that management hadn't a clue as to what it was doing

Recent Examples on the Web

The move by the Trump administration is a turnabout of a long-standing U.S. policy that has extended TPS to more than a half million Venezuelans. —Greg Allen, NPR, 4 Feb. 2025

But the turnabout didn't entirely make clear what happens next. —Maya Goldman, Axios, 30 Jan. 2025

Ironically, this evening is a complete turnabout that promotes gentle, warm, loving energy with others. —Georgia Nicols, The Denver Post, 25 Jan. 2025

But that longstanding status quo has now been shaken — a turnabout for Hezbollah that has opened a new political chapter in Lebanon. —Christina Goldbaum, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1710, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing turnabout

• turnabout is fair play

Rhymes for turnabout

• roundabout
• runabout
• sauerkraut
• thereabout
• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout

Kids Definition

turnabout

noun

turn·​about ˈtər-nə-ˌbau̇t 

: a change from one direction or one way of thinking or acting to the opposite