ABOUT-FACE Synonyms: 81 Similar and Opposite Words

about-face 1 of 2

noun

ə-ˈbau̇t-ˈfās

Definition of about-face

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

about-face

2 of 2

verb

as in to revert

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

as in to pivot

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

straighten

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of about-face

Noun

Still, the latest hike marks an about-face from the Fed's stance at the start of the year, when inflation was cooling, and as many economists expected the central bank to lower interest rates throughout 2026. — Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026 Whiplash doesn’t quite cut the stark about-face in cultural consensus that eventually paved the way for season 2, premiering this November. — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 2026 But in a surprising turn of events, Woods did an about-face, appearing in court Wednesday for a change-of-plea hearing. — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2026 One of the most notable about-faces on screens is a new initiative from American Airlines. — Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for about-face

Recent Examples of Synonyms for about-face

Noun

Inspired by Ektachrome, a color-reversal film stock widely used during the 1970s, this presentation allows viewers to immerse themselves into the vivid colors and style of the 1973 Easter Island landscape.

— Tanya Fedak, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
Kansas City, Missouri, could max out in the mid 70s on Thursday after topping 90 degrees Fahrenheit Tuesday — a nearly 20-degree reversal.

— Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of reversal

Verb

Kerry McCoy’s guitar juices up a mid-song gallop by abruptly pivoting from big and noisy to compressed and snarling; at the climax, everything cuts out for a second to spotlight a Daniel Tracy drum fill.

— Patrick Lyons, Pitchfork, 13 Oct. 2026
After a misleading super PAC ad about transgender healthcare from the GOP’s Senate Leadership Fund, Brown’s campaign released a counter ad correcting the claim before pivoting to affordability.

— Dorian Rhea Debussy, The Conversation, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of pivot

Noun

Love was unclear on the reasons for her volte-face, but speculated that Sky had failed to convince Bake Off stars like Paul Hollywood to make the switch.

— Jake Kanter, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2026
The volte-face in transfer strategy is not necessarily negative.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of volte-face

Verb

At a hearing following the discovery, Morris’ defense attorneys argued that the law does not allow that a death penalty waiver be rescinded.

— Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026
Beyond surprise, a bipartisan group of senators is openly calling for the president to rescind the deal.

— Cooper Katz McKim, NPR, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of rescind

Verb

Animators studied ostriches before feeding their digital movement curves into a six-axis mechanical rig carrying the performers.

— Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
The tangle of stubby points stood out like overgrown thumbs, and the down-curving prongs on either side of his head were at least a foot long.

— Al Dawson, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of curve

Verb

This caused the boat to overturn, sending everyone into the water.

— David Goodhue October 12, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026
The databases used to check citizenship against voter registration lists can be outdated, said Freda Levenson, legal director of the ACLU of Ohio, which has sued to overturn the law.

— Gary Fields, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of overturn

Browse Nearby Words

about

about-face

about-faced

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Style

“About-face.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/about-face. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of about-face

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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