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 of turnabout

• reversal

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 biggest factors contributing to the slight turnabout were patient centricity — which refers to prioritizing patient needs — and ensuring patient safety, according to PatientView, a research firm that canvassed patient groups from 35 countries between December 2025 and March 2026. —Ed Silverman, STAT, 5 May 2026

Conservative influencers, among others, blasted the turnabout and questioned Bondi’s capability. —ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026

In a turnabout-is-fair-play moment, a Sparty fan showed during a break of the Wolverines’ game was treated with equal disdain. —Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 20 Mar. 2026

Recent presidential-election trends illustrate this turnabout. —Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1710, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing turnabout

• turnabout is fair play

Rhymes for turnabout

• roundabout
• runabout
• sauerkraut
• thereabout
• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout

Kids Definition

turnabout

noun

turn·​about ˈtər-nə-ˌbau̇t 

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