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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Recent Examples of about-face
Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
For Netanyahu, who up to this point has resisted an agreement to free all the hostages and end the war, the ceasefire deal marks an about-face.
—Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2025
As Alexandra Plakias has noted, philosophical about-faces should not scandalize us; they should be honored.
—Shai Tubali, Big Think, 30 Sep. 2025
The about-face was announced last week in a press release aimed at the marque’s investors.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for about-face
Noun
Local housing activists were surprised by the about-face – and left frustrated.
—Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
For Netanyahu, who up to this point has resisted an agreement to free all the hostages and end the war, the ceasefire deal marks an about-face.
—Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2025
As Alexandra Plakias has noted, philosophical about-faces should not scandalize us; they should be honored.
—Shai Tubali, Big Think, 30 Sep. 2025
The about-face was announced last week in a press release aimed at the marque’s investors.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for about-face
Recent Examples of Synonyms for about-face
Noun
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Against it stands any interest in deploying them for the use-value of reversal.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
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The gains mark a reversal from the prior day’s dip as big technology stocks once again lead the broader market.—
Fortune,
Fortune,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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All worth watching, though perhaps with seasonal factors favorable, earnings clocking in near a 12% annual growth pace and credit markets showing little stress, a modest wobble is enough to skim away some froth and revert the market to its benign trend.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
5 Nov. 2025
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However, Penix returned last week, and Cousins has presumably reverted back to the trading block, where the Falcons have had him since the preseason.—
Max Dible,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Still, Main Street entrepreneurs have shown remarkable agility in 2025—pivoting faster than big corporations when adopting new digital tools, experimenting with AI for marketing, and tailoring customer service to local tastes, Telyan says.—
Ashley Lutz,
Fortune,
5 Nov. 2025
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When pirating hindered the shipping of gold to Lisbon, Paraty pivoted to farming sugarcane (the basis of cachaça) and later became one of the earliest hubs for coffee growing in a country that is still the globe’s largest exporter of beans.—
David Amsden,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Britain is not the only country pressed into making a volte-face.—
London Business School,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
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The realities of Putin’s momentum, coupled with Washington’s volte-face, have led to a clear mood shift in Kyiv.—
Daryna Mayer,
NBC News,
13 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The memo was later rescinded by the administration.—
Peter Charalambous,
ABC News,
6 Nov. 2025
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Fields also rescinded the Bible mandate for Oklahoma schools.—
Emery Petchauer,
The Conversation,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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So much of Brazil strains the imagination—the interminable skyline of São Paulo, the beaches of Rio curving between monoliths of granite, the aquamarine pools trapped between the undulating dunes of Lençóis Maranhenses.—
William O'Connor,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
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But by the early 19th century, some mathematicians had started exploring other kinds of geometric spaces — ones that aren’t flat but rather curved like a sphere or saddle.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The vehicle overturned and McClure was ejected from it.—
Daniel McFadin,
Arkansas Online,
10 Nov. 2025
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The justices are also deciding whether to overturn restrictions on coordinated spending between parties and candidates, whether to curtail protections against racial discrimination in voting, and when candidates can contest an Illinois election law similar to Mississippi’s.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Other companies bowed to growing pressure; two of America’s professional sports teams rebranded.—
Eileen Falkenberg-Hull,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
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The Cannes-bowing film, starring Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù and set against the backdrop of political arrest in 1993 Nigeria, leads the pack of titles going into this year’s BIFA ceremony with 12 nominations, including best British independent film and director.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“About-face.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/about-face. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
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