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
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Example Sentences
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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
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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
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His promotion of Tiktok is a reversal from 2020, when Trump attempted to ban the platform.—
Danielle Kurtzleben,
NPR,
19 Jan. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
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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
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While the Biden administration’s delisting of Cuba may temporarily pivot U.S.-Cuba relations toward warmer ground, there are moves, including the possible relisting of Cuba, that Secretary of State-designate Rubio may be able to make that will reverse this trajectory.—
Jason M. Blazakis,
The Conversation,
16 Jan. 2025
Noun
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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
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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
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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
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But Democratic former President Joe Biden rescinded the order in 2021, before any workers were reclassified.—
Daniel Wiessner,
USA TODAY,
22 Jan. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
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The pre-pandemic plan for a third runway was blocked by a court on environmental grounds in 2020, before the Supreme Court overturned that decision.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN,
29 Jan. 2025
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But Levenson isn’t convinced that this new evidence would be enough to overturn the Menendezes’s 1996 convictions.—
Christine Pelisek,
People.com,
29 Jan. 2025
Verb
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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
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One of many examples of companies & billionaires bowing down.—
Steven Lemongello,
Orlando Sentinel,
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 1 Feb. 2025.
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