U-turn

noun

ˈyü-ˌtərn 

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

Synonyms

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

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

The driver allegedly refused to stop and ultimately made a U-turn, according to the South Windsor Police Department. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 1 May 2025

As finance minister, Klingbeil is set to take a leading position on the implementation of these fiscal moves, which marked a major policy U-turn for Germany. —Sophie Kiderlin, CNBC, 30 Apr. 2025

By Friday morning, drivers wanting to turn left will continue to a new, permanent U-turn lane to turn around and go in the opposite direction. —Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 29 Apr. 2025

The continued flouting of production quotas could keep oil prices sagging, even after US President Donald Trump signalled a potential U-turn on his trade war with China. —Amy Gunia, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for U-turn

• adjourn
• concern
• decern
• discern
• downturn
• extern
• heartburn
• interne
• nocturne
• return
• sunburn
• unworn