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
Will Sammon, New York Times, 15 June 2025
The president's comments expressing disappointment with Musk were a swift about-face.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 5 June 2025
The dispute involves the latest instance of the Trump Administration orchestrating a speedy and dramatic about-face by federal agencies on DEI policies, transgender rights and similar culture war issues.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 4 June 2025
The about-face came at the urging of a group of Democratic California lawmakers led by Sen. Adam Schiff, who decried plans from the unofficial Department of Government Efficiency to close USDA offices in Bakerserfield, Blythe, Los Angeles, Madera, Mt. Shasta, Oxnard, Salinas, Woodland and Yreka.
—Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for about-face
Verb
In an about-face from last year, no one seems to be pining for the Mets to deal McNeil, who is under contract through next year with a club option for 2027 ($15.75 million both years).
—Will Sammon, New York Times, 15 June 2025
The president's comments expressing disappointment with Musk were a swift about-face.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 5 June 2025
The dispute involves the latest instance of the Trump Administration orchestrating a speedy and dramatic about-face by federal agencies on DEI policies, transgender rights and similar culture war issues.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 4 June 2025
The about-face came at the urging of a group of Democratic California lawmakers led by Sen. Adam Schiff, who decried plans from the unofficial Department of Government Efficiency to close USDA offices in Bakerserfield, Blythe, Los Angeles, Madera, Mt. Shasta, Oxnard, Salinas, Woodland and Yreka.
—Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for about-face
Recent Examples of Synonyms for about-face
Noun
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The policy represents a reversal for Fannie and Freddie, the two entities under government conservatorship that guarantee more than half of America’s mortgages.—
Samantha Delouya,
CNN Money,
25 June 2025
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Trump and his party have made the rollback of LGBTQ rights a nationwide priority, and more encroachments—perhaps even the reversal of Obergefell—appear to be on conservatives’ radar.—
Emma Sarappo,
The Atlantic,
25 June 2025
Verb
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His demands include asking the company to revert back to open-source and an injunction to prevent OpenAI execs from profiting from AGI.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
24 June 2025
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During President Donald Trump's second presidency, his administration has designated English as the national language, removed hundreds of books from military libraries that are about race relations and LGBTQ+ history in the United States, and reverted military bases to their Confederate names.—
Sophie Clark,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
Verb
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This ability to pivot allows for the best outcomes with less effort.—
Neerja Bhatia,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
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The trailer then pivots to Goff talking about being a member of the Lions.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 June 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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Critical grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the National Endowment for the Arts have been rescinded.—
Linda Johnson,
New York Daily News,
27 June 2025
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Their comments came after the Trump administration earlier this month rescinded guidance telling health care workers who provide abortions to save patients’ lives that they are protected under federal law.—
The Hill Staff,
The Hill,
24 June 2025
Verb
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The whole coast curved around us like a giant C—a huge bay that held the archipelago.—
James Rebanks
June 26,
Literary Hub,
26 June 2025
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Fifteen minutes later, the tracks curve along the dramatic 39-mile coastline, revealing the turquoise sea and rocky limestone cliffs known as the calanques.—
Sophie Friedman,
AFAR Media,
24 June 2025
Verb
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The measure is designed to overturn a series of executive orders by Trump, including banning transgender troops in the U.S. military and blocking transgender students from playing on girls’ sports teams.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
21 June 2025
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Health care The first Trump administration unsuccessfully tried to end the Affordable Care Act, even asking the Supreme Court to overturn it in late 2020.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
20 June 2025
Verb
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The brand also bowed Air Force 1 High and Air Force 1 Low sneakers.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
24 June 2025
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In Iraq, meanwhile, key militia groups have, since 2024, largely bowed to pressure from Baghdad to cease attacking U.S. forces and turned to political processes to retain their influence.—
Dana Stroul,
Foreign Affairs,
23 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“About-face.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/about-face. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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