1
: a turn resembling the letter U
especially
: a 180-degree turn made by a vehicle in a road
2
: something (such as a reversal of policy) resembling a U-turn
Examples of U-turn in a Sentence
an abrupt U-turn of her support for the candidate after hearing the news of his misdeeds
Recent Examples on the Web
When the family made a U-turn to evade both vehicles, an unknown number of gunshots were fired, according to the probable cause statement.
—
Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2026
The Florida Highway Patrol said Lauryn Akey, a University of South Florida student, was returning home from a wedding early on Sunday, May 17, when she was struck by Olson, who made an improper U-turn into oncoming traffic on Interstate 75 and hit Akey's car and another vehicle.
—Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 25 May 2026
There will be no U-turn, no last-minute change of heart.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 15 May 2026
Trump’s decision to U-turn on a military mission to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz came after a backlash from allies.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for U-turn
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.
Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2026
The Florida Highway Patrol said Lauryn Akey, a University of South Florida student, was returning home from a wedding early on Sunday, May 17, when she was struck by Olson, who made an improper U-turn into oncoming traffic on Interstate 75 and hit Akey's car and another vehicle.
—Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 25 May 2026
There will be no U-turn, no last-minute change of heart.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 15 May 2026
Trump’s decision to U-turn on a military mission to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz came after a backlash from allies.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for U-turn
Cite this Entry
“U-turn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/U-turn. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
