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
Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 2 Jan. 2026
Prosecutors did not give any insight into the administration’s rationale for the about-face but did urge the appeals court to appoint a friend of the court to represent the opposing side.
—Ella Lee, The Hill, 17 Dec. 2025
And that about-face represents an opportunity for some of the more impatient collectors out there.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 17 Dec. 2025
While Mexico completed its about-face on migration, California’s lettuce crop rotted due to a lack of farmhands.
—Time, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for about-face
Noun
But the about-face followed a recent class-action lawsuit from the Sikh Coalition, an advocacy group defending the civil rights of Sikhs, and the Asian Law Caucus on behalf of the California drivers.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 2 Jan. 2026
Prosecutors did not give any insight into the administration’s rationale for the about-face but did urge the appeals court to appoint a friend of the court to represent the opposing side.
—Ella Lee, The Hill, 17 Dec. 2025
And that about-face represents an opportunity for some of the more impatient collectors out there.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 17 Dec. 2025
While Mexico completed its about-face on migration, California’s lettuce crop rotted due to a lack of farmhands.
—Time, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for about-face
Recent Examples of Synonyms for about-face
Noun
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To the contrary, though the film is frequently funny, Brewer takes their ambitions and reversals seriously.—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
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State officials said Thursday that the FBI would be solely in charge of Wednesday's deadly encounter, in a reversal from earlier beliefs that the probe would be a dual federal-state effort.—
Maggie Vespa,
NBC news,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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That move is historically overextended and is likely to revert closer to the mean.—
Jay Woods,
CNBC,
16 Dec. 2025
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But Reiner said Shearer eventually realized that the movie’s stars hadn’t actually made that much money from the movie, and Shearer eventually got the rights to revert back to the creators.—
Victoria Edel,
PEOPLE,
15 Dec. 2025
Verb
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But after a delicate dance of courting both quarterbacks, USC pivoted to Longstreet and managed to flip him from the Aggies.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
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With Sullivan now in the building, the Dolphins can now pivot to a coaching search after owner Stephen Ross fired Mike McDaniel on Thursday.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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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
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Adding to his administration’s volte-face, Biden was on the verge of a big bang in the U.S.-Saudi relationship when Hamas derailed the effort with its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.—
Dana L. Stroul,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Nov. 2025
Verb
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So if Strauber rescinds her letter, Mamdani can agree.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
11 Jan. 2026
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Economist and author Alice Lassman, a (British) Gen Zer herself, has written for Business Insider about her personal disillusionment after her stint at Columbia led to a verbal, later rescinded offer to be an economist at USAID.—
Jacqueline Munis,
Fortune,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The 25-year-old’s redemption arc continued to curve at Newcastle United on Wednesday night.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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At first glance, the choker reprises the incisions and delicately curving edges meant to evoke Chanel’s distinctive quilting, with a sliding clasp closure to adjust it closely to the neck.—
Lily Templeton,
Footwear News,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Potential amendments could include establishing equal rights for women, abolishing the Electoral College, overturning Citizens United, and banning gerrymandering.—
The Atlantic,
The Atlantic,
13 Jan. 2026
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Shortly after, troopers learned that the vehicle lost control while exiting I-84 at Exit 74, left the roadway, hit a tree stump and overturned, according to state police.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Vrbo, for example, will bow a new virtual-reality wrinkle during Thursday night’s Fiesta Bowl.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
8 Jan. 2026
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The deference with which that body has bowed to presidential fiat would make Page and William Maclay shudder.—
Jake Lundberg,
The Atlantic,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“About-face.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/about-face. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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