about-face 1 of 2

noun

ə-ˈbau̇t-ˈfās How to pronounce about-face (audio)
Definition of about-facenext
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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about-face

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to revert

Related Words

Dissimilar Words
2
as in to pivot

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Dissimilar Words

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
Noun
The about-face felt personal to former parks workers who spent their careers preserving artifacts that have now been deemed too radical for display. — Marissa J. Lang, NPR, 26 June 2026 College officials defended their about-face in an update posted to the Columbia admissions website. — Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 12 June 2026 And last fall, the Solovievs did an about-face and declared that the pharmacy, which had been open since the 1920s, would no longer fill prescriptions — leaving the nearest drugstore a ferry ride away. — Reeves Wiedeman, Curbed, 22 June 2026 Landau quickly implemented a strict hierarchy at the agency, requiring subordinates to work up a chain of command before contacting her — an about-face from Frolich’s collaborative approach, attorneys said. — Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 27 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for about-face
Recent Examples of Synonyms for about-face
  1. reversal
  2. revert
  3. pivot
  4. volte-face
  5. rescind
  6. curve
  7. overturn
  8. bow
Noun
  • Suffering a reversal of fortune, Watson Taylor turned out to be unable to pay for the commission and sold the work in 1821 through Phillips auction house.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 2 July 2026
  • The market experienced a reversal session, with AI leaders and data center infrastructure buildout stocks falling while software and the hyperscalers rebounded.
    — Jeff Marks, CNBC, 1 July 2026
Definition of reversal
Verb
  • The effect hasn’t mean-reverted.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 June 2026
  • These returns do not revert in subsequent trading days and are orders of magnitude larger than those outside the 24-hour pre-FOMC window.
    — George Calhoun, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
Definition of revert
Verb
  • If there’s a port disruption or a spike in tariffs, companies can pivot to alternative textile mills.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 2 July 2026
  • But Boom has also pivoted away from its main goal in recent months to produce natural gas turbines to power AI data centers.
    — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 2 July 2026
Definition of pivot
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
Definition of volte-face
Verb
  • Multiple media outlets, citing unnamed people familiar with the conversation, said Trump spoke personally with FIFA president Gianni Infantino last week and asked him to rescind the red card.
    — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
  • According to SpoTrac, two of the 189 red cards have been handed out in the history of the World Cup have ever been rescinded.
    — Mac Engel July 5, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 July 2026
Definition of rescind
Verb
  • His update on the C-cut began just below the chin, with extra lift at the roots and inward-curving lengths that narrowed toward the ends to create the illusion of a heart.
    — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 3 July 2026
  • In the final minute of stoppage time to end the first half, Morocco's Achraf Hakimi curved his free kick right in front of the goal, seemingly just one perfect touch away from a goal.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 30 June 2026
Definition of curve
Verb
  • Tuesday’s ruling means the regulations cannot take effect unless the decision is overturned on appeal.
    — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026
  • Cleveland manager Terry Francona challenged the original safe call at second and got the play overturned after a replay delay that lasted 1 minute, 29 seconds.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
Definition of overturn
Verb
  • The shoes feature a classic shape and dainty bow details on the uppers.
    — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 7 July 2026
  • In another image, Kate bows her head and pulls Princess Charlotte tightly into her for a hug.
    — Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 6 July 2026
Definition of bow

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Cite this Entry

“About-face.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/about-face. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on about-face

Nglish: Translation of about-face for Spanish Speakers

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