ABOUT-FACES Synonyms: 79 Similar and Opposite Words

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

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about-faces

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of about-face

as in reverts

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

as in pivots

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

straightens

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

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

Noun

Key Background Trump over the weekend walked back threats to launch major attacks on Iran, part of a pattern of reversals throughout the course of conflict.

— Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Traders profit when prices jump up and down, and with his taste for cliffhangers, threats and policy reversals, Trump provides plenty of potentially market-moving content.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of reversals

Verb

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
As light can selectively target the fluid, scientists were able to print microscopic conductive patterns that completely vanish once exposed to open air, which reverts the gel back into non-conductive liquid clusters.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 12 June 2026

Definition of reverts

Verb

The first is a ‘buy’ rating for Danish wind giant Ørsted, which Goldman sees benefiting as Europe increasingly pivots energy policy towards offshore wind power after the continent experienced its second price shock in five years.

— Joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 17 July 2026
Yet when one of the veterans finally receives meaningful discipline, the conversation suddenly pivots away from Clark's safety and toward sympathy for the player who committed the foul.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026

Definition of pivots

Verb

As Marvel reverses its decision to renew Wonder Man for Season 2 on Disney+, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is bidding farewell to the role of reluctantly super-powered actor Simon Williams.

— Glenn Garner, Deadline, 30 July 2026
Conversely, forgiveness reverses these neural patterns, calming pain and restoring cognitive function.

— Kevin Kruse, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of reverses

Verb

Jang Gyu-ri rounds out the central trio as Hong Jae-in, a gifted viola major struggling to find her own signature sound.

— Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Daniel Susac #6 of the San Francisco Giants rounds the bases after hitting a home run in the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Oracle Park on July 29, 2026 in San Francisco.

— CBS News, CBS News, 30 July 2026

Definition of rounds

Verb

This summer, as record-breaking heat sweeps across Europe and the United States, millions of people are searching for a way to cool off.

— Kathy Baughman McLeod, Time, 4 Aug. 2026
That includes the Washington DC area, where the eclipse will be visible for a portion of the afternoon as the total solar eclipse sweeps over Greenland, Iceland, Northern Russian, the Atlantic Ocean, Spain and part of Portugal.

— Mike Stunson, USA Today, 3 Aug. 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

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

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Synonyms of about-faces

noun

verb

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