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
Nick Watt, CNN Money, 19 Mar. 2026
The Chapek chapter and previous succession about-faces that saw presumed heirs-apparent like Tom Staggs leave the company were blemishes on Iger’s otherwise strong record.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2026
Pearl then did an about-face after Miami’s loss to UMass in their opening game of the MAC Tournament.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
The Justice Department’s about-face revealed a major fracture in antitrust enforcement.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for about-face
Noun
This new venture and revenue stream is a dramatic about-face for NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who back in 2012 argued strongly against allowing betting on sports.
—Nick Watt, CNN Money, 19 Mar. 2026
The Chapek chapter and previous succession about-faces that saw presumed heirs-apparent like Tom Staggs leave the company were blemishes on Iger’s otherwise strong record.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2026
Pearl then did an about-face after Miami’s loss to UMass in their opening game of the MAC Tournament.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
The Justice Department’s about-face revealed a major fracture in antitrust enforcement.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for about-face
Recent Examples of Synonyms for about-face
Noun
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Since around 2022, dioceses across the country have reported a reversal of that trend, with growing numbers of Americans — particularly Millennials and Gen Z — choosing to join the Catholic Church.—
Brit McCandless Farmer,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
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Since the beginning of the year, the mayor and the Regional Task Force on Homelessness have touted various statistics that show a reversal in the long trend of a growing unhoused population.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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How about 162 games — with just two left before the win-loss column reverts back to 0-0 for the playoffs.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
10 Apr. 2026
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The president then reverted back to praising Hansen for being a bright Canadian on the trip.—
Paloma Chavez,
PEOPLE,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Sales bottomed in the second quarter of 2020, and Buzza decided to pivot the business model, shifting to essential services such as hospitals, distribution centers and industrial plants, where workers couldn’t phone it in and still needed to eat lunch.—
Robert Channick,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
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Shrewder artists on the rise are pivoting to the center.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
8 Apr. 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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Districts are required to send preliminary layoff notices by March 15 but have until May 15 to rescind or finalize those notices.—
Molly Gibbs,
Mercury News,
9 Apr. 2026
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Nicole Sganga Officials like Budd applauded Mullin's decision to rescind a memo from DHS Secretary Kristi Noem last summer requiring her office's approval on all DHS contracts and grants over $100,000 — including FEMA disaster relief.—
Nicole Sganga,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In another panel, a man and child walk away from the town along a railroad track that curves up and to the left, and then disappears.—
Judith Shulevitz,
The Atlantic,
9 Apr. 2026
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The Tianjin tower is recognizable for its softly curving glass walls that reduce exposure to wind, sun, and moisture.—
Nathalie Nietzsche-Knappe,
Architectural Digest,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Detectives said a passerby found the 60-year-old man partially sitting in a wheelchair that was overturned.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
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Prior to his 2011 conviction, Jeffs was charged and convicted of being an accomplice to rape in September 2007 after coercing a 14-year-old to marry her 19-year-old cousin, though the ruling was later overturned by the Utah Supreme Court over faulty jury instructions, according to CBS News.—
Nicole Briese,
PEOPLE,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Prosecutors said police found a folding blade knife, brass knuckles, a hammer and a bowing knife in the home, as well as a large bottle of bleach.—
Sara Tenenbaum,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2026
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Netflix is very much still in the Millie business and looking forward to Enola Holmes 3, which is set to bow sometime this year.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“About-face.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/about-face. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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