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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of about-face
John Liu, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2025
So why the sudden about-face on China?
—Scott Kennedy, Time, 16 Aug. 2025
Zelenskyy, who has far-reaching wartime presidential powers and still enjoys broad approval among Ukrainians, was forced into a rare political about-face when his attempt to bring NABU and SAPO under the control of his prosecutor-general sparked the first nationwide protests of the war.
—Reuters, NBC news, 3 Aug. 2025
The move will bring 35 brands to Mexico for the first time, including Isima by Shakira, Peach & Lily, Orebella, Ulta Beauty Collection, Morphe, Bubble, about-face, Ouai, Half Magic and Kitsch.
—Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for about-face
Verb
To him, the policy about-face only reflects the importance of having a wholly homegrown chip supply chain.
—John Liu, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2025
So why the sudden about-face on China?
—Scott Kennedy, Time, 16 Aug. 2025
Zelenskyy, who has far-reaching wartime presidential powers and still enjoys broad approval among Ukrainians, was forced into a rare political about-face when his attempt to bring NABU and SAPO under the control of his prosecutor-general sparked the first nationwide protests of the war.
—Reuters, NBC news, 3 Aug. 2025
The move will bring 35 brands to Mexico for the first time, including Isima by Shakira, Peach & Lily, Orebella, Ulta Beauty Collection, Morphe, Bubble, about-face, Ouai, Half Magic and Kitsch.
—Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for about-face
Recent Examples of Synonyms for about-face
Noun
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This swift reversal highlights how rapidly speculative investments can dissipate in a market driven more by hype than by underlying fundamentals.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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The same day, the company announced a stunning reversal, shutting down the rebrand and retaining its original branding.—
Laya Neelakandan,
CNBC,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Even the president jumped in when the chain reverted back to its old logo.—
Ramishah Maruf,
CNN Money,
17 Sep. 2025
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Aurora made several driverless runs earlier this year before reverting back to safety driver operations at the request of their truck manufacturer partner; the company’s status as a driverless operation is somewhat murky.—
Richard Bishop,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Since pivoting from black and pinto beans to roasted and ground ones, Niccol has been trying to reverse Starbucks’s falling sales by returning to its coffeehouse origins.—
Molly Liebergall,
Fortune,
12 Sep. 2025
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While some VCs like IQ Capital have pivoted to focus more intently on defense, others are being set up in Europe purely to hunt for opportunities in the sector.—
Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
12 Sep. 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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While Sainz’s in-race 10-second time addition cannot be removed from the Zandvoort results, the two penalty points that had been added to his super license along with the time penalty have now been rescinded.—
Alex Kalinauckas,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
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But the initiative was quickly blocked in court on procedural grounds and later rescinded by the Biden administration.—
Tami Luhby,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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From there, the soft tube grows forward, automatically curving into the trachea.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Sep. 2025
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The canyon-like layout consists of four spherical structures connected by curving platforms, courtyards, and pedestrian bridges; 3 of the 18 floors are below ground.—
Mae Hamilton,
AFAR Media,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The outcomes for detainees who have been housed at the facility have taken on new significance after an appeals court overturned that earlier ruling, allowing the facility to resume operations.—
Ben Wieder,
Miami Herald,
15 Sep. 2025
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Now 64, Hernandez had been serving his sentence until the recent appeals court decision overturning his conviction in July.—
Adeola Adeosun
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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All members of the royal family, including those with His/Her Royal Highness (HRH) titles such as Princess Kate, bow or curtsy to the monarch and his wife when greeting them for the first time in a while — even his own children!—
Stephanie Petit,
PEOPLE,
17 Sep. 2025
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Demerzel gasps, and for once Day isn’t preening in the mirror but bowing his head.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“About-face.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/about-face. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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