turnabout

noun

turn·about | \ˈtərn-ə-ˌbau̇t

Definition of turnabout

1a : 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

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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

That's a sharp turnabout of treasures for the oil-rich country, which throughout the 1970s and 1980s was considered the wealthiest nation in Latin America, and a beacon of stability and prosperity for those fleeing other conflicts. — Hollie Mckay, Fox News, "Venezuelan opposition leader laments "genocide" in his country, reveals his escape from detainment," 18 Sep. 2018 In Nevada and Florida, the turnabout is striking: Those states went from zero pro-gun control ads in 2014 to more than 45,000 this year. — Julie Bykowicz, WSJ, "Shootings Thrust Gun Control Into Campaign Ads," 18 Sep. 2018 In addition, P Town Titan, the 2-1 morning-line favorite, is making a quick seven-day turnabout and Jalisco Three, at 3-1, defeated a very soft $2,500 field in his last out. — John Cherwa, latimes.com, "Racing! Jon White’s top 10 Kentucky Derby list is front and center," 30 Mar. 2018 The turnabout for small cars reflects more people are willing to buy smaller cars as their basic transportation. — David Pan, USA TODAY, "Used car prices hit a 13-year high as more late-model cars come off lease," 15 June 2018 And the turnabout should give pause to anyone evaluating Zuckerberg’s new statements. — Owen Thomas, San Francisco Chronicle, "Remember the last time Mark Zuckerberg asked us to trust him?," 21 Mar. 2018 In a turnabout, the State Council, China’s cabinet, stopped hectoring city halls and townships to restrain spending and instead last week launched an inspection to urge them to speed up already approved investment projects to re-energize growth. — Lingling Wei, WSJ, "China’s Effort to Control Debt Loses Steam," 12 July 2018 Since people who regard themselves as masculine have spent centuries diagnosing other people’s identities, this turnabout might be considered fair play. — Crispin Sartwell, WSJ, "Conversion Therapy Isn’t the Cure for ‘Toxic Masculinity’," 1 June 2018 His right-wing turnabout could torpedo a forthcoming album and affect future tour sales and fashion revenues, which depend on the goodwill of young, taste-making audiences. — Shelby Grad, latimes.com, "Essential California: A political odd couple," 10 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'turnabout.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.