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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of about-face
Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 2026
But the about-face expands to a number of core MAHA issues — chemicals in food and the government’s relationship with industry among them.
—Daniel Payne, STAT, 22 Apr. 2026
That marks an about-face from its performance at the start of the decade.
—Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 15 Apr. 2026
When Swalwell succumbed to the growing political pressure to bow out of the race, and eventually resigned from Congress, Gallego did an about-face on his support for the California congressman.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for about-face
Noun
Colorado’s governor has not approved any of the program’s graduates for early release since 2023 — an about-face from the prior three years.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 2026
But the about-face expands to a number of core MAHA issues — chemicals in food and the government’s relationship with industry among them.
—Daniel Payne, STAT, 22 Apr. 2026
That marks an about-face from its performance at the start of the decade.
—Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 15 Apr. 2026
When Swalwell succumbed to the growing political pressure to bow out of the race, and eventually resigned from Congress, Gallego did an about-face on his support for the California congressman.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for about-face
Recent Examples of Synonyms for about-face
Noun
-
The report does not provide evidence to support the claims against Shoigu, who was formerly seen as very close to Putin, and a bid to unseat the Russian president would mark a stark reversal in allegiance.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
4 May 2026
-
The daily chart of IGV is taking the shape of a bullish inverse head-and-shoulders reversal pattern.—
Katie Stockton,
CNBC,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Technically the state could revert back to its original 2022 map with one majority-Black district or redraw a new map entirely.—
Oren Oppenheim,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Heating can temporarily fix this, but the structure tends to revert after cooling.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But the state agency pivoted and attempted to find a domestic source for the canines.—
Elise Schmelzer,
Denver Post,
7 May 2026
-
Officials originally hired a firm to survey approval of a half-cent sales tax for 10 years, but pivoted to 1 cent for 10 years during the recent meeting.—
Hannah Elsmore,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
This volte-face was not just about electoral politics.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
17 Jan. 2026
-
The Kremlin has denied any such request was made, which tells you something about how Moscow views the optics of this diplomatic volte-face.—
Bobby Ghosh,
Time,
22 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The move reflects a broader effort to reengage the Horn of Africa country and would rescind a 2021 executive order imposed under former US President Joe Biden.—
Yinka Adegoke,
semafor.com,
6 May 2026
-
The rule finalized by the Environmental Protection Agency rescinded a 2009 government declaration known as the endangerment finding that determined carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases threaten public health and welfare.—
Todd Richmond,
Twin Cities,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Gently curving architecture leads you from the showroom entrance into the cozy, circular display room.—
Nathanael Gassett,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Architects Enrique Muller and Santiago Aspe designed a striking adobe-style cascade that drops nine levels down the rock in warm honey tones, curving with the cliff as if it were poured in place.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The measure, if approved for the ballot and passed by voters, would overturn the congressional map Missouri Republicans passed to oust Kansas City’s long-term Democratic Representative Emanuel Cleaver.—
Jack Harvel,
Kansas City Star,
2 May 2026
-
The Republican president views the investments as critical for economic security and emblematic of his own dealmaking skills, overturning what had been GOP dogma that government should avoid picking winners and losers.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
With the threat of further protests and boycotts ahead of the public opening on Saturday, organisers finally bowed to pressure and agreed to close the Russian pavilion to the public.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
7 May 2026
-
This tank carried a crew of 5, including the commander, gunner, loader, driver, assistant driver, and bow gunner.—
Matthew S Williams,
Interesting Engineering,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“About-face.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/about-face. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
