turnabout

noun

turn·​about ˈtərn-ə-ˌbau̇t 

1

a

: a change or reversal of direction, trend, policy, role, or character

b

: a changing from one allegiance to another

c

: turncoat, renegade

d

: an act or instance of retaliating

turnabout is fair play

2

: merry-go-round

Synonyms

• about-face
• about-turn [British]
• flip-flop
• reversal
• turnaround
• U-turn
• volte-face

Examples of turnabout in a Sentence

employees regarded the latest turnabout as a sure sign that management hadn't a clue as to what it was doing

Recent Examples on the Web

The back story on what led to the turnabout is a bit convoluted, but bear with me. —Teresa Watanabe, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2024

Inflation has slowed more dramatically than expected, validating the Fed’s turnabout. —Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 2 Jan. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1789, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing turnabout

• turnabout is fair play

Kids Definition

turnabout

noun

turn·​about ˈtər-nə-ˌbau̇t 

: a change from one direction or one way of thinking or acting to the opposite