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
Examples 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
Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 15 Jan. 2025
The ability to fly at night was pivotal Friday, when the Palisades fire, which had been pushing toward the ocean, made a sudden about-face and headed north.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 15 Jan. 2025
The president-elect's support for the widely popular app is an about-face from his first term in office.
—Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2025
The Nasdaq was being hit the hardest in Tuesday’s about-face.
—Matthew J. Belvedere, CNBC, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for about-face 
Noun
In 2023, the Village People issued a cease-and-desist order to the Trump campaign over their usage of their songs, but the disco act have apparently done an about-face.
—Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 15 Jan. 2025
The ability to fly at night was pivotal Friday, when the Palisades fire, which had been pushing toward the ocean, made a sudden about-face and headed north.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 15 Jan. 2025
The president-elect's support for the widely popular app is an about-face from his first term in office.
—Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2025
The Nasdaq was being hit the hardest in Tuesday’s about-face.
—Matthew J. Belvedere, CNBC, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for about-face
Recent Examples of Synonyms for about-face
Noun
-
For a bullish set-up, traders look for RSI to rise back above the 30 level, signaling a reversal.—
Nishant Pant,
CNBC,
21 Jan. 2025
-
His promotion of Tiktok is a reversal from 2020, when Trump attempted to ban the platform.—
Danielle Kurtzleben,
NPR,
19 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
And the highest mountain in North America, now known as Denali, will revert back to Mount McKinley, its name until President Barack Obama changed it.—
Bill Barrow,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Jan. 2025
-
If Congress doesn’t act—again, unlikely—the tax brackets in 2026 will revert back to those on the left.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes,
18 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The event is set to pivot in several key ways, including its conclusion on Saturday, rather than on a Sunday, when many international attendees typically depart early for their home countries.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Jan. 2025
-
In summary, the benefits of being a freelancer now in 2025, more than at any other point in history, include: Surge in companies pivoting to hiring skilled freelancers, especially for filling specific talent and skills gaps in their organizations.—
Rachel Wells,
Forbes,
16 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Read More: How Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Pushed Through Asia’s First Cannabis Legalization Cannabis advocacy groups and businesses have voiced their opposition to the policy volte-face, staging rallies and threatening a legal challenge against the premier.—
Pathom Sangwongwanich / Bloomberg,
TIME,
27 June 2024
-
The policy volte-face is another blow to Thailand’s nascent cannabis industry after decriminalization was pitched as a way to boost agricultural income and wellness tourism.—
TIME,
TIME,
10 May 2024
Verb
-
Among the flurry of executive orders Trump signed on his first day back in office was one rescinding the Biden administration’s sanctions on settlers and Jewish extremists accused of violence against Palestinians.—
Joseph Krauss,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Jan. 2025
-
But Democratic former President Joe Biden rescinded the order in 2021, before any workers were reclassified.—
Daniel Wiessner,
USA TODAY,
22 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Al Suave's curving roofs mimic the waves just steps away, while a flowing pool cuts through the property like the creek that divides the two sides of town.—
Natalie Stoclet,
Forbes,
18 Jan. 2025
-
The site sits on the edge of Coffey Park, an unlikely haven in the middle of industrial Brooklyn with its curving walkways and 126 trees.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
8 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Fani Willis, a state prosecutor in Fulton County, Georgia, similarly charged Mr. Trump in a case related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results there.—
Henry Gass,
The Christian Science Monitor,
16 Jan. 2025
-
Evidence stored in the kits, sometimes for decades, allowed cold cases to be solved and wrongful convictions to be overturned.—
Sheila McClear,
The Atlantic,
16 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Lin is back in Park City for the first time since his breakout film, Better Luck Tomorrow, bowed at Sundance in 2002.—
Mia Galuppo,
The Hollywood Reporter,
23 Jan. 2025
-
Despite headwinds, the brand has been resilient and is gearing up for the opening of a new flagship in Paris next month, following units that bowed last year in Hamburg, Germany, and Lyon, France.—
Luisa Zargani,
WWD,
21 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near about-face
Cite this Entry
“About-face.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/about-face. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share