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
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Recent Examples of about-face
Justin Spike and Illia Novikov, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2025
Image For many Russians, Washington’s sudden about-face toward their country appears to have led to a surge of admiration for and interest in President Trump.
—Alina Lobzina, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025
Recent friend-of-the-court filings have requested the judge to appoint a special prosecutor to take over the case — an argument echoed in the media and by politicians rightfully disturbed about the DOJ’s explosive about-face after Donald Trump’s election.
—Ron Kuby, New York Daily News, 19 Feb. 2025
The Trump administration has halted the firings of hundreds of federal employees who were tasked with working on the nation’s nuclear weapons programs, in an about-face that has left workers confused and experts cautioning that DOGE’s blind cost cutting will put communities at risk.
—Tara Copp and Anthony Izaguirre, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for about-face
Noun
Ukraine fears Trump’s policy shift toward Putin Trump’s engagement with Russian officials and his recent agreement to reopen diplomatic ties and economic cooperation with Moscow have marked an about-face in U.S. policy that has rattled leaders in Ukraine and across Europe.
—Justin Spike and Illia Novikov, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2025
Image For many Russians, Washington’s sudden about-face toward their country appears to have led to a surge of admiration for and interest in President Trump.
—Alina Lobzina, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025
Recent friend-of-the-court filings have requested the judge to appoint a special prosecutor to take over the case — an argument echoed in the media and by politicians rightfully disturbed about the DOJ’s explosive about-face after Donald Trump’s election.
—Ron Kuby, New York Daily News, 19 Feb. 2025
The Trump administration has halted the firings of hundreds of federal employees who were tasked with working on the nation’s nuclear weapons programs, in an about-face that has left workers confused and experts cautioning that DOGE’s blind cost cutting will put communities at risk.
—Tara Copp and Anthony Izaguirre, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for about-face
Recent Examples of Synonyms for about-face
Noun
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Instead, multiple headwinds seem to be working in conjunction to cause the sell-off, including a reversal of technical factors that drove the previous rally.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
26 Feb. 2025
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The result showed some diminished support for Ukraine, because previous assembly votes saw more than 140 nations condemn Russia’s aggression, demand an immediate withdrawal, and reversal of its annexation of four Ukrainian regions.—
Edith M. Lederer,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Three years ago, Holly signed away the rights to Voss for cheap in a contract that reverts it all back in the event of Voss’ death.—
Sara Netzley,
EW.com,
25 Feb. 2025
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One of President Trump's first executive orders in his second term was reverting the name of Alaska's highest peak, Denali, to Mount McKinley.—
Mo Rocca,
CBS News,
23 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Administration officials at all levels are pivoting to stress the decline of apprehensions at the southern border and ICE arrests when confronted with questions about the more arduous logistical challenge of deporting tens of thousands of people back to their home countries.—
David Catanese,
Miami Herald,
7 Mar. 2025
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Meanwhile, Wilders’ People’s Party has pivoted not only to supporting Ukraine aid — but also to the idea that Europe needs to gain military independence from the U.S. Marine Le Pen.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC News,
5 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Britain is not the only country pressed into making a volte-face.—
London Business School,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
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The realities of Putin’s momentum, coupled with Washington’s volte-face, have led to a clear mood shift in Kyiv.—
Daryna Mayer,
NBC News,
13 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Executive Actions Do Not Prevent Ensuring Inclusion One of the most significant changes comes from Trump's January 22nd Executive Order, which rescinds Executive Order 11246.—
Jennifer Jay Palumbo,
Forbes,
26 Feb. 2025
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The rule has not yet been rescinded by Trump’s executive order.—
Andrew McKean,
Outdoor Life,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
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In a space known as the Languedoc wine region of southern France, within the huge administrative region of Occitanie, multiple independent wine appellations curve in an arc alongside—and parallel to—the Mediterranean Sea.—
Tom Mullen,
Forbes,
2 Mar. 2025
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Published on February 11, 2025 By Wendy Bowman Photo : Full Package Media/Compass A curving floating staircase can be found in the double-height living room.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
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According to the appeal, Sergio Correa is seeking for his conviction to be overturned and a new trial.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
6 Mar. 2025
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Utley was suspended two games by MLB, but the suspension was overturned.—
Russel Honoré,
Newsweek,
6 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Kateryna bowed her head and reached for her mom’s hand.—
Michael Holtz,
The New Yorker,
28 Feb. 2025
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That visit sparked controversy as he was widely seen as breaking royal protocol, failing to bow to the Queen and walking in front of her while inspecting a military guard.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“About-face.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/about-face. Accessed 10 Mar. 2025.
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