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
Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2026
The Gordon pastor who was forced to self-deport with his family last year because of an immigration policy will be returning a lot sooner than expected, thanks to an about-face in that policy.
—Ken Molestina, CBS News, 19 Jan. 2026
The massive cuts, and the about-face on those cuts, echoed the way the Department of Government Efficiency ran under Elon Musk.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 16 Jan. 2026
The vote marked an about-face from the commission’s recommendation to deny approval of the same project less than a year ago.
—Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for about-face
Noun
Turkey is also making inroads with Saudi Arabia; a huge about-face for two long-time rivals.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2026
The Gordon pastor who was forced to self-deport with his family last year because of an immigration policy will be returning a lot sooner than expected, thanks to an about-face in that policy.
—Ken Molestina, CBS News, 19 Jan. 2026
The massive cuts, and the about-face on those cuts, echoed the way the Department of Government Efficiency ran under Elon Musk.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 16 Jan. 2026
The vote marked an about-face from the commission’s recommendation to deny approval of the same project less than a year ago.
—Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for about-face
Recent Examples of Synonyms for about-face
Noun
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Progressives also have endorsed the reversal of qualified immunity protections, which shield agents from misconduct lawsuits.—
Ana Ceballos,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
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Staying quiet on a key economic issue like immigration represents a reversal in the public relations strategies of a once vocal group of corporate giants.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Conversely, a continual underperformance in revenue and operating income growth for Tapestry would strengthen the assertion that the stock is overpriced in relation to its competitors, yet might not revert soon.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
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Stoutmire reverted back to his comfort factor with the Razorback staff when asked what stood out about his trip to Fayetteville.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
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After starring on the Netflix teen series Sex Education (2019–2021), Simone Ashley pivoted to Bridgerton.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Jan. 2026
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This trend comes as investors are hedging against a weakening dollar and pivoting away from traditional assets.—
Carlos Garcia,
Fortune,
29 Jan. 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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Yale, Columbia, Brown, the University of Southern California, Boston University, and the Univesity of Pennsylvania are examples of schools that also scaled back, rescinded, paused or stopped new admissions.—
Michael T. Nietzel,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Both memos were ultimately rescinded after legal pushback from DHS and the White House counsel, these people told us.—
Michael Scherer,
The Atlantic,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The living room has a curving staircase on one side and French doors opening to a dining area on the other.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
30 Jan. 2026
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Hallie Henley Sims inherited her own grandmother’s curved back settee and chose to keep the original orange velvet upholstery intact.—
Sarah Lyon,
Southern Living,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Marine Le Pen faces potential disqualification from the 2027 presidential election after a March 2025 conviction for embezzling EU funds—a 5-year ban from public office unless overturned on appeal.—
Güney Yıldız,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
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The cardboard struck a Ford pickup when the big rig overturned.—
Brandon Downs,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Given the cliffhanger moment at the end of the last film, the hope was to get a sequel up by 2025 but those plans changed and the film will now bow in 2028.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
30 Jan. 2026
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About an hour after the protest started, attendees linked arms with those around them and bowed their heads for a moment of silence.—
Elissa Jorgensen,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“About-face.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/about-face. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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