as in reversal
a changing from one policy or point of view to virtually its exact opposite
the novelist's unexpected volte-face from experimentalism to traditional narrative form
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Recent Examples of volte-face
This volte-face was not just about electoral politics.
—
Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 17 Jan. 2026
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
Adding to his administration’s volte-face, Biden was on the verge of a big bang in the U.S.-Saudi relationship when Hamas derailed the effort with its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
—Dana L. Stroul, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
Britain is not the only country pressed into making a volte-face.
—London Business School, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
The realities of Putin’s momentum, coupled with Washington’s volte-face, have led to a clear mood shift in Kyiv.
—Daryna Mayer, NBC News, 13 Feb. 2025
Read More: How Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Pushed Through Asia’s First Cannabis Legalization
Cannabis advocacy groups and businesses have voiced their opposition to the policy volte-face, staging rallies and threatening a legal challenge against the premier.
—Pathom Sangwongwanich / Bloomberg, TIME, 27 June 2024
Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 17 Jan. 2026
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
Adding to his administration’s volte-face, Biden was on the verge of a big bang in the U.S.-Saudi relationship when Hamas derailed the effort with its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
—Dana L. Stroul, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
Britain is not the only country pressed into making a volte-face.
—London Business School, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
The realities of Putin’s momentum, coupled with Washington’s volte-face, have led to a clear mood shift in Kyiv.
—Daryna Mayer, NBC News, 13 Feb. 2025
Read More: How Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Pushed Through Asia’s First Cannabis Legalization
Cannabis advocacy groups and businesses have voiced their opposition to the policy volte-face, staging rallies and threatening a legal challenge against the premier.
—Pathom Sangwongwanich / Bloomberg, TIME, 27 June 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for volte-face
Noun
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But the reversal underscores how Apple News is a powerful source of information in the US — and one that will respond to political pressure, if regulators get involved.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
16 Feb. 2026
-
In a stunning reversal, the Justice Department on Thursday filed a motion seeking to drop criminal charges against the two Venezuelan men.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Canada meanwhile has made a complete about-face.—
Justin Worland,
Time,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Mahan, who made a name for himself by criticizing the governor on homelessness, found himself in the hot seat with Hilton, who mocked a recent interview in which Mahan praised Newsom’s progress in reducing homelessness at the state level, an about-face from earlier comments.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Volte-face.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/volte-face. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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