Synonyms of about-turn

about-turn

noun

ə-ˈbau̇t-ˈtərn 

British

as in reversal

a changing from one policy or point of view to virtually its exact opposite

more than one London newspaper accused the prime minister of doing an about-turn on the issue

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reversal
• volte-face
• about-face
• change of heart
• turnaround
• turnabout
• U-turn
• flip-flop
• denial
• disavowal
• retraction
• renunciation
• recantation
• reconsideration
• hesitation
• switcheroo
• disownment
• disaffirmance
• repudiation
• second thought
• vacillation
• indecision
• bait and switch
• retreat
• wobbling
• wavering
• irresolution
• shilly-shallying

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of about-turn

First, a dramatic about-turn by the United States. — Vasco Cotovio, CNN Money, 11 Dec. 2025

The revelations represent a stunning about-turn in a case for which Azevedo had yet to appear in court to face felony charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and lying to a government agency, which could carry up to 20 years on the most serious count. — Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2025

Also on March 10, a federal judge ruled that the department is required to make its records public, an about-turn for the agency that has been mired in secrecy, according to Forbes. — Sam Gillette, People.com, 12 Mar. 2025

Under Leahy’s watch, Glossier launched at Sephora in February 2023, marking an about-turn from its prior DTC strategy and adopting a more traditional retail playbook. — Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019