about-face
noun
1
: a 180° turn to the right from the position of attention
2
: a reversal of direction
3
: a reversal of attitude, behavior, or point of view
about-face
intransitive verb
Examples of about-face in a Sentence
the candidate's frequent about-faces on issues disturbs many voters
Recent Examples on the Web
The about-face marked a sharp departure from the Biden administration’s efforts to force accountability for the role of racial discrimination in police misconduct.
—
Ella Lee, The Hill, 21 July 2025
But few have ever risen above the drama with such an about-face success.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 2 Aug. 2025
Zelensky, 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, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2025
But since the inauguration, many groups have done an about-face, agreeing to talk to NPR reporters covering foreign aid cuts only if no one is quoted by name and no details are included that could identify their organization.
—Fatma Tanis, NPR, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for about-face
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Ella Lee, The Hill, 21 July 2025
But few have ever risen above the drama with such an about-face success.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 2 Aug. 2025
Zelensky, 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, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2025
But since the inauguration, many groups have done an about-face, agreeing to talk to NPR reporters covering foreign aid cuts only if no one is quoted by name and no details are included that could identify their organization.
—Fatma Tanis, NPR, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for about-face
Cite this Entry
“About-face.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/about-face. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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