1
: a 180° turn to the right from the position of attention
2
: a reversal of direction
3
: a reversal of attitude, behavior, or point of view
about-face intransitive verb

Examples of about-face in a Sentence

the candidate's frequent about-faces on issues disturbs many voters
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
But three of them have done an about-face, ending or limiting coverage for hundreds of thousands of immigrants who aren’t in the U.S. legally in California, Illinois and Minnesota. Trân Nguyễn, Fortune, 22 July 2025 Last week, the U.S. Justice Department recommended no prison time for Hankison, in an abrupt about-face by federal prosecutors that has angered critics after the department spent years prosecuting the former detective. Dylan Lovan, Chicago Tribune, 21 July 2025 That memo sparked an outcry from Trump’s base of supporters, who criticized the DOJ’s about-face and called for Bondi’s resignation, even as Trump decried the public interest in the Epstein case and denounced his supporters who continued to promote it. Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025 Speaking from Beijing on Wednesday, in at least his third public visit to China so far this year, Huang sought to downplay his impact on Washington’s about-face on the H20. Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 16 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for about-face

Word History

Etymology

from the imperative phrase about face, from about entry 1 + face entry 2

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of about-face was in 1835

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“About-face.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/about-face. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

about-face

noun
ə-ˈbau̇t-ˈfās
1
: a reversal of direction
2
: a reversal of attitude or point of view
about-face verb

More from Merriam-Webster on about-face

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