as in reversal
a changing from one policy or point of view to virtually its exact opposite
an abrupt U-turn of her support for the candidate after hearing the news of his misdeeds
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Recent Examples of U-turn
Though Trump had initially slowed down air defence aid to Ukraine (with its last major shipment in January), after weeks of heavy Russian aerial attacks, the administration is making a U-turn.
—
Natasha Lindstaedt, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Some of the president's most fervent supporters are voicing discontent with Trump − or at least his administration and top law enforcement officials − over apparent U-turns and missteps six months into his second term.
—USA Today, 12 July 2025
Back in ‘96 in Vegas, after shots were fired, Knight — bleeding from his scalp — made a frantic U-turn and headed west at a high speed toward Las Vegas Boulevard.
—Danielle Bacher, People.com, 1 July 2025
People were a bit allergic to the new direction last time, but a sonic U-turn is a concession, a place where pragmatism does outweigh whim.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for U-turn
Natasha Lindstaedt, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Some of the president's most fervent supporters are voicing discontent with Trump − or at least his administration and top law enforcement officials − over apparent U-turns and missteps six months into his second term.
—USA Today, 12 July 2025
Back in ‘96 in Vegas, after shots were fired, Knight — bleeding from his scalp — made a frantic U-turn and headed west at a high speed toward Las Vegas Boulevard.
—Danielle Bacher, People.com, 1 July 2025
People were a bit allergic to the new direction last time, but a sonic U-turn is a concession, a place where pragmatism does outweigh whim.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for U-turn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for U-turn
reversal
Noun
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Barring drastic reversals, San Diego will cruise into its fourth postseason in six years, while the Giants will miss the postseason for the eighth time in nine years.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Aug. 2025
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The president’s warm remarks were a stark reversal from just four days earlier, when Trump called for Tan’s resignation and accused him of having conflicts of interest.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
13 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“U-turn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/U-turn. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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