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
Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 19 May 2025
Amid the about-face in the trans-Pacific, the container shipping giant affirmed its full-year guidance, with company stock increasing 12 percent Wednesday.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 14 May 2025
Vance’s about-face is a measure of how concerned the US – and the wider international community – became by the escalating conflict between the two nuclear powers.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 11 May 2025
The program is an about-face from Israel's earlier policy to withhold aid to pressure Hamas to free Israeli hostages.
—Daniel Estrin, NPR, 11 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for about-face
Noun
The about-face comes as the reality of the city’s budget situation comes into sharper focus.
—Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 19 May 2025
Amid the about-face in the trans-Pacific, the container shipping giant affirmed its full-year guidance, with company stock increasing 12 percent Wednesday.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 14 May 2025
Vance’s about-face is a measure of how concerned the US – and the wider international community – became by the escalating conflict between the two nuclear powers.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 11 May 2025
The program is an about-face from Israel's earlier policy to withhold aid to pressure Hamas to free Israeli hostages.
—Daniel Estrin, NPR, 11 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for about-face
Recent Examples of Synonyms for about-face
Noun
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Finally, Elon Musk’s DOGE activities brought its own host of circuit tests that generated smoke and reversals.—
Bruce Yandle,
Boston Herald,
1 June 2025
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Various studies have documented a decline in productivity in the building sector since 1970 – a dramatic reversal from the prior 30 years.—
Ryan Craig,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Verb
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Omen gets a change reverted from a few patches ago which should stop dead allies spectating Omen being able to see through nearsights, while the really annoying issue where Vyse could no longer use Arc Rose for the remainder of the round if it was placed too close to the spike has also been solved.—
Mike Stubbs,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
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However, Netflix has rarely allowed users to revert, and doing so usually requires a workaround rather than an official means of doing so.—
Peter Aitken,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 May 2025
Verb
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That meant Duke had to pivot to Plan B — or, rather, re-prioritize someone who had long been on its radar: Italian wing Dame Sarr, who played for FC Barcelona last season.—
The Athletic College Basketball,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
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But the ones who miss out on Antetokounmpo could then pivot over to Durant.—
Matt Levine,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 May 2025
Noun
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Britain is not the only country pressed into making a volte-face.—
London Business School,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
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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
Verb
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Both of these actions were rescinded after outcry from advocacy groups.—
Walter Pavlo,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
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President Donald Trump will announce a new nominee for National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) administrator after rescinding his nomination of Jared Isaacman just days before the Senate was set to vote on him.—
Peter Aitken,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 May 2025
Verb
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The architects Jeff Milstein and Barbara Weinstein pushed the kitchen under an arched alcove, lifted a bedroom above a curving wall, and carved a private office into the living area that looks like a tiny southwestern house.—
Adriane Quinlan,
Curbed,
22 May 2025
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The gleaming buildings of Chicago, curving along the shore of Lake Michigan, are especially lethal.—
Vincent Alban,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
Verb
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Foreign universities want to hire them May 25, 2025 The suit also seeks to overturn the Trump administration’s 15% cap on indirect costs related to research, which universities say are critical to carrying out their work.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2025
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The suit, which hopes to overturn the law, argues that the city’s ordinance violates the First Amendment and does not apply to other forms of speech, like a political candidate asking for support or a church member proselytizing.—
Vivienne Serret,
Miami Herald,
28 May 2025
Verb
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But Merz isn’t just bowing to demands from Washington.—
Ian Bremmer,
Time,
24 May 2025
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During the 30-minute ceremony, the bride and groom pay deference to their elders through bowing and serving them tea.—
Margaux Anbouba,
Vogue,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“About-face.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/about-face. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.
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