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.
The announcement by the fourth-term congressman contradicted a statement last week from the military’s U.S. Northern Command, potentially reflecting an about-face by the Trump administration. John Aguilar, The Denver Post, 3 Feb. 2025 The White House about-face showed the limits of the administration’s broader effort to reduce the size and scope of government. Will Weissert, Chicago Tribune, 2 Feb. 2025 Colombia's about-face suggests that Canada and Mexico could also reach agreement with the U.S. and avert a painful trade war. Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2025 The change is a major about-face for a handful of single-player titles after Sony faced considerable backlash from many angry PC players about the PlayStation account requirement to play the games. Samuel Axon, Ars Technica, 29 Jan. 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

Dictionary Entries Near about-face

Cite this Entry

“About-face.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/about-face. Accessed 11 Feb. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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