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
Will Sammon, New York Times, 15 June 2025
The president's comments expressing disappointment with Musk were a swift about-face.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 5 June 2025
The dispute involves the latest instance of the Trump Administration orchestrating a speedy and dramatic about-face by federal agencies on DEI policies, transgender rights and similar culture war issues.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 4 June 2025
The about-face came at the urging of a group of Democratic California lawmakers led by Sen. Adam Schiff, who decried plans from the unofficial Department of Government Efficiency to close USDA offices in Bakerserfield, Blythe, Los Angeles, Madera, Mt. Shasta, Oxnard, Salinas, Woodland and Yreka.
—Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for about-face
Verb
In an about-face from last year, no one seems to be pining for the Mets to deal McNeil, who is under contract through next year with a club option for 2027 ($15.75 million both years).
—Will Sammon, New York Times, 15 June 2025
The president's comments expressing disappointment with Musk were a swift about-face.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 5 June 2025
The dispute involves the latest instance of the Trump Administration orchestrating a speedy and dramatic about-face by federal agencies on DEI policies, transgender rights and similar culture war issues.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 4 June 2025
The about-face came at the urging of a group of Democratic California lawmakers led by Sen. Adam Schiff, who decried plans from the unofficial Department of Government Efficiency to close USDA offices in Bakerserfield, Blythe, Los Angeles, Madera, Mt. Shasta, Oxnard, Salinas, Woodland and Yreka.
—Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for about-face
Recent Examples of Synonyms for about-face
Noun
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Under this thinking, the U.S. has gotten used to outperforming global markets for years, so a months-long reversal is not necessarily catastrophic.—
Rafael Nam,
NPR,
7 July 2025
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The reversal comes after a recent Supreme Court ruling regarding transgender issues, prompting the appeals court to request new briefs from both sides.—
Alec Johnson,
jsonline.com,
3 July 2025
Verb
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This summer, in particular, Swift seems to have reverted back to classic, feminine silhouettes and approachable styling after dabbling with a bit of logo-mania during the 2024-2025 football season.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
29 June 2025
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Orvis said South Carolina stood to add a lot of solar to its electrical grid with tax incentives but would have to revert back to gas once those credits go away.—
Soph Warnes,
CNN Money,
27 June 2025
Verb
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When the job of a door-to-door encyclopedia salesman was disrupted because of the rise of online search, those workers pivoted to selling other products, Colella said.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 July 2025
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Amid declining sales of music albums, K-pop agencies are pivoting their strategy — leading to a surge of over 100% in stock price for some.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
3 July 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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The grant was frozen then unfrozen, after the Office of Management and Budget issued then rescinded a memo freezing grants having to do with nongovernmental organizations, programs focused on diversity, equity and inclusion, and other issues.—
Aaron Bolton,
NPR,
7 July 2025
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Soon after Trump took office, senior administration officials rescinded the policy, allowing agents to detain people, including family members, for civil immigration violations at courthouses.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
4 July 2025
Verb
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The whole coast curved around us like a giant C—a huge bay that held the archipelago.—
James Rebanks
June 26,
Literary Hub,
26 June 2025
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Fifteen minutes later, the tracks curve along the dramatic 39-mile coastline, revealing the turquoise sea and rocky limestone cliffs known as the calanques.—
Sophie Friedman,
AFAR Media,
24 June 2025
Verb
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But the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned that decision last year.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
1 July 2025
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The bill, which Gov. Mike Kehoe is expected to sign and would begin Aug. 28, would overturn sick leave provisions included in a ballot measure that Missouri voters approved last year.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
1 July 2025
Verb
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The brand also bowed Air Force 1 High and Air Force 1 Low sneakers.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
24 June 2025
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In Iraq, meanwhile, key militia groups have, since 2024, largely bowed to pressure from Baghdad to cease attacking U.S. forces and turned to political processes to retain their influence.—
Dana Stroul,
Foreign Affairs,
23 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“About-face.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/about-face. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.
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