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

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

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 turnabout may have to do with the recent financial troubles at Tesla. —Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 5 June 2025

This is a remarkable turnabout, but its roots lie in the vaunted deal that Ramaphosa helped make to end apartheid. —Lydia Polgreen, Mercury News, 27 May 2025

This represents a turnabout from the pattern of the last 25 years, when there was little evident resistance from bond buyers as the U.S. government looked to borrow. —Neil Irwin, Axios, 19 May 2025

The lawsuit reflects a stark philosophical turnabout from the position on gender identity issues taken during Democratic administrations. —Alanna Durkin Richer, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2025

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