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 market’s message is often beguiling and inscrutable, with frequent overshoots and crowd-humiliating turnabouts that would be so satisfying to see coming in advance. — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 10 Aug. 2026

Abbott’s campaign season turnabout on data centers doesn’t seem to have soothed many. — Marc Levy, Fortune, 23 July 2026

So why, Ghosh wonders, are such rapid turnabouts so rarely present in the genre? — Literary Hub, 23 July 2026

Abbott tries to soothe concerns Abbott’s campaign season turnabout on data centers doesn’t seem to have soothed many. — Marc Levy, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 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