as in reversal
a changing from one policy or point of view to virtually its exact opposite
the candidate's frequent about-faces on issues disturbs many voters
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of about-face
Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2026
Trump made an about-face on tariffs this week.
—David Westin, Bloomberg, 24 Jan. 2026
His about-face was so abrupt, and so unaccounted for, that senior officials in Europe are scratching their heads about what, exactly, changed his mind.
—Jonathan Lemire, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026
The about-face is a welcome surprise.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for about-face
Noun
Golden recently questioned 7-footer Charles Bediako’s return to Tuscaloosa after a two-season hiatus bouncing around the NBA’s G-League, an about-face counter to NCAA rules forbidding a player to enter the draft and return to college.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2026
Trump made an about-face on tariffs this week.
—David Westin, Bloomberg, 24 Jan. 2026
His about-face was so abrupt, and so unaccounted for, that senior officials in Europe are scratching their heads about what, exactly, changed his mind.
—Jonathan Lemire, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026
The about-face is a welcome surprise.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for about-face
Recent Examples of Synonyms for about-face
Noun
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But the reversal underscores how Apple News is a powerful source of information in the US — and one that will respond to political pressure, if regulators get involved.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
16 Feb. 2026
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In a stunning reversal, the Justice Department on Thursday filed a motion seeking to drop criminal charges against the two Venezuelan men.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Contingency plans are in place should the security situation deteriorate, which may necessitate reverting individual sailings or the wider structural change of the service back to the Cape of Good Hope route, Maersk said.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
4 Feb. 2026
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In truth, Johnson’s lack of meaningful contribution to date may now prompt Palace to revert back to that way of operating in future.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Gray was wearing a bright blue cowboy hat, and quickly pivoted to acknowledge some of the ongoing concerns around crypto.—
Trevor Bach,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Feb. 2026
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Many companies pivoted away from trumpeting environmental policies as a result.—
Kamal Ahmed,
Fortune,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
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This volte-face was not just about electoral politics.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
17 Jan. 2026
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The Kremlin has denied any such request was made, which tells you something about how Moscow views the optics of this diplomatic volte-face.—
Bobby Ghosh,
Time,
22 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The policy rescinds prior guidance that did not treat the failure to apply for a green card as grounds for deportation.—
Ximena Bustillo,
NPR,
19 Feb. 2026
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The Federal Transit Administration has threatened to withhold another $50 million from the CTA over safety concerns and most recently rescinded a $100 million grant for electric vehicle chargers that was set to go to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.—
Talia Soglin,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The path begins in Siberia, curves around the North Pole past Greenland and Iceland, then crosses Spain before ending in the Mediterranean sunset.—
Ryan Craggs,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
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Some of them were curved like a hook.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In 2022, the same court overturned a decision by Leon also dealing with military retiree jurisdiction.—
Taylor Seely,
AZCentral.com,
13 Feb. 2026
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Renewables are being deployed aggressively across much of the world even as the US, historically the world’s biggest emitter, overturned a landmark domestic climate ruling.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Stolz bowed his head and rested his hands on his knees.—
Howard Fendrich,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
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When, finally, the gold medal was placed around her neck, Shiffrin grabbed hold of it, bowed her head and closed her eyes.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“About-face.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/about-face. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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