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
Josh Meyer, USA TODAY, 23 Dec. 2024
The latter two players defected from the PGA Tour to LIV about 2½ years ago, and McIlroy long lamented the players who had done so before recently doing an about-face.
—Ryan Morik, Fox News, 18 Dec. 2024
His guilty plea in October was a major about-face, as Alexander had strongly maintained his innocence for months.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 12 Dec. 2024
The movie is constructed around the ABC Sports team’s about-face from athletics to terrorism, centering the perspective of the broadcasters who sneaked cameras into the Olympic Village to film the frenetic scene.
—Olivia B. Waxman, TIME, 12 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for about-face 
Noun
The vote was an about-face for the committee, which had declined to release the report in November.
—Josh Meyer, USA TODAY, 23 Dec. 2024
The latter two players defected from the PGA Tour to LIV about 2½ years ago, and McIlroy long lamented the players who had done so before recently doing an about-face.
—Ryan Morik, Fox News, 18 Dec. 2024
His guilty plea in October was a major about-face, as Alexander had strongly maintained his innocence for months.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 12 Dec. 2024
The movie is constructed around the ABC Sports team’s about-face from athletics to terrorism, centering the perspective of the broadcasters who sneaked cameras into the Olympic Village to film the frenetic scene.
—Olivia B. Waxman, TIME, 12 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for about-face
Recent Examples of Synonyms for about-face
Noun
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The judicial branch of the federal government will have some decisions of its own to make about the monument, and may inject still more reversals.Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2025
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Meta’s decision to eliminate its fact-checking program marks a sharp reversal for the major social media company, quickly prompting questions over the firm’s direction as President-elect Trump heads back to the Oval Office.Miranda Nazzaro, The Hill, 7 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Dan Burn has again risen to every challenge thrown at him, reverting back to central defence after Sven Botman’s anterior cruciate ligament injury.George Caulkin, The Athletic, 29 Dec. 2024
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The New Jersey winner has until March 26, 2025, to claim the prize and if it's not claimed the unpaid prize will revert back to each participating Mega Millions jurisdictions, according to Mega Millions.Joyce Orlando, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Faster Adaptation: Teams with varied approaches are more agile, able to pivot strategies and respond to crises effectively.Scott Hutcheson, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
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But the litigious billionaire and his cadre of true believers soon pivoted to another talking point, claiming that unusual build of the Cybertruck prevented a worse outcome.Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 2 Jan. 2025
Noun
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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
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The policy volte-face is another blow to Thailand’s nascent cannabis industry after decriminalization was pitched as a way to boost agricultural income and wellness tourism.TIME, TIME, 10 May 2024
Verb
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The ban, however, never took effect after it was blocked by a federal court and the executive order rescinded by Mr. Biden.Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2025
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President Joe Biden won’t rescind his flag directive honoring the late President Jimmy Carter despite criticism raised by President-elect Donald Trump on Friday.Christian Datoc, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 3 Jan. 2025
Verb
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For a relatively short time, its path will curve just far enough north to give those north of the equator a fighting chance to glimpse it.Joe Rao, Space.com, 9 Jan. 2025
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An entry foyer displaying a curving staircase introduces the house, with a wide set of steps emptying out at a vestibule that flows to an elegant living room spotlighted by a walk-in bay window and French doors spilling outside.Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 8 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Before the soldiers could enter the chamber, parliament unanimously voted to overturn martial law, leading to its end six hours later.Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 Jan. 2025
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Garvey served two years in prison before President Coolidge commuted his sentence in 1927, but he was deported to Jamaica, and his conviction was never overturned.Delano Massey, Axios, 4 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Reolink also bowed the Argus 4 Pro, a 4K 180-degree color night vision battery camera, and Altas PT Ultra, a 4K continuous recording battery camera.Marc Saltzman, USA TODAY, 9 Jan. 2025
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The show bowed in the AMT Theater in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood of New York City back in 2023 and is now also playing at The NuBox theater in the same enclave.Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near about-face
Cite this Entry
“About-face.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/about-face. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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