U-turn

noun

ˈyü-ˌtərn 

1

: a turn resembling the letter U

especially : a 180-degree turn made by a vehicle in a road

2

: something (such as a reversal of policy) resembling a U-turn

Synonyms of U-turn

• reversal
• change of heart

Examples of U-turn in a Sentence

an abrupt U-turn of her support for the candidate after hearing the news of his misdeeds

Recent Examples on the Web

In December of that year, Officer Andy Ornelas, 27, was struck in Palmdale after a driver swung from the right shoulder to make a U-turn and ended up directly in his path. — Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026

However, within minutes of takeoff, the plane began making a U-turn back toward its origin. — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2026

Still, some cautious Russians of military age, fearing a U-turn, are leaving the country just in case, mindful that the dire need for fresh troops could eventually outweigh the Kremlin’s urge to avoid public outrage. — Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026

The crash happened on West Hillsboro Boulevard when a driver attempting a U-turn was struck by a motorcyclist, flipping the car, according to the Broward County Sheriff's Office. — Abby Dodge, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for U-turn

• adjourn
• concern
• decern
• discern
• downturn
• extern
• heartburn
• interne
• nocturne
• return
• sunburn
• unworn