about-faces 1 of 2

noun

plural of about-face
as in reversals
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-faces

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of about-face
1
as in reverts

Related Words

Dissimilar Words
2
as in pivots

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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-faces
Noun
One of the most notable about-faces on screens is a new initiative from American Airlines. — Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Aug. 2026 Ads, in fact, represent one of the biggest about-faces for Netflix, given that choosing to go down this road required the company building an entirely new infrastructure — from ad tech and measurement tools, to sales teams and advertiser relationships. — Andy Meek, Forbes.com, 16 May 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 The video then about-faces towards a utopia where people have toed the left-wing climate change line and saved the planet. — Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025 As Alexandra Plakias has noted, philosophical about-faces should not scandalize us; they should be honored. — Shai Tubali, Big Think, 30 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for about-faces
  1. reversals
  2. reverts
  3. pivots
  4. reverses
  5. rounds
  6. sweeps
  7. arcs
  8. bows
Noun
  • But while anti-immigrant, pro-Russian parties have made inroads across the continent in recent years, there have also been notable reversals, and some have softened their views to build coalitions with moderates.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026
  • But making global hits these days is complicated by tightening production budgets internationally and regulatory reversals at home.
    — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of reversals
Verb
  • The lease limits what can be built on the site and once the agreement is complete, ownership reverts back to the Spanglers.
    — Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The school is owned by the city of Pembroke Pines, and a lease says the property reverts back to the city in 2037.
    — Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 26 July 2026
Definition of reverts
Verb
  • When presented together and thought juxtapositionally, the works launch visitors onto an emotional pendulum that pivots from exhilaration to unease and distress.
    — Tina M. Campt, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Hilton vouches for their integrity, then quickly pivots into an attack on smug Democrats who take voters for granted.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of pivots
Verb
  • This amendment reverses that; if the City Council doesn’t get to an amendment within 75 days, it’s automatically approved.
    — Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Set beneath a gorgeous sun at what may either be dawn or dusk, this sea occasionally stutters and reverses before continuing to roll all over again.
    — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of reverses
Verb
  • Tyson Bagent is Williams’ usual backup, while the journeyman Keenum rounds out the depth in the room.
    — Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Hyatt Regency Aruba rounds out its culinary offerings with a juice bar and pizza truck on the beach, a breakfast buffet, an outdoor café, and a pier serving cocktails and light snacks.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of rounds
Verb
  • Expect to feel the winds shifting in Northern California Friday, and Saturday for Southern California, as cooler air finally sweeps in.
    — Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Lay sweeps the little boy into her arms; the audience dabs at tears.
    — Joan Kron, Allure, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of sweeps
Verb
  • The White House had to make room for the Claw, a four-sided mass that arcs more than 90 feet (27 meters) into the air and features lights, speakers, thick snakes of wiring and four large screens so fans not seated right next to the Octagon can follow the cage fighting below.
    — Dan Gelston, Fortune, 13 June 2026
  • Overhead looms The Claw, a four-sided mass that arcs more than 90 feet (27 meters) into the air and features lights, speakers, thick snakes of wiring and four large screens so fans not seated right next to the Octagon can follow the cage fighting below.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 June 2026
Definition of arcs
Verb
  • Beabadoobee scored her first Top 10 album with Pylon, which bows at Number Seven.
    — Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Crawl 2 will be up against Sony’s Fake Skating and also bows the week after Warner Bros/DC’s Superman sequel Man of Tomorrow.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of bows

Browse Nearby Words

about-faced
about-faces
about-facing
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“About-faces.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/about-faces. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of etiquette

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
name tags
Words Named After People Quiz Find out who’s behind "leotard," "morphine," an...
See All