about-face
noun
ə-ˈbau̇t-ˈfās 
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
Synonyms
- about-turn [British]
- flip-flop
- reversal
- turnabout
- turnaround
- U-turn
- volte-face
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
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
about-faces 1 of 2
noun
as in reversals
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 Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- reversals
- turnabouts
- turnarounds
- denials
- vacillations
- about-turns
- U-turns
- volte-faces
- changes of heart
- hesitations
- disavowals
- indecisions
- flip-flops
- recantations
- switcheroos
- renunciations
- repudiations
- retractions
- reconsiderations
- irresolutions
- wobblings
- disownments
- second thoughts
- bait and switches
- retreats
- disaffirmances
- wabblings
about-faces
2 of 2verb
1
as in backtracks
Synonyms & Similar Words
- backtracks
- reverts
- countermands
- reverses
- strikes down
- overturns
- repeals
- rescinds
- revokes
- annuls
- abrogates
- switches
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- supports
- maintains
- upholds
2
as in pivots
Synonyms & Similar Words
- pivots
- arcs
- curves
- crooks
- sweeps
- circles
- bows
- bends
- rounds
- loops
- twists
- slews
- hooks
- spirals
- arches
- wheels
- coils
- cuts
- winds
- zigzags
- slues
- curls
- swerves
- turns
- skews
- wavers
- veers
- zigs
- zags
- yaws
- weaves
- strays
- sheers
- breaks
- deviates
- wanders
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- straightens
- perpetuances
- perpetuate
- perpetuated
- perpetuates
- perpetuating
- perpetuation
- perpetuations
- perpetuator
- perpetuators
- perpetuities
- perpetuity
- perpetuum mobile
- perphenazine
- perphenazines
- Perpignan
- perplex
- perplexed
- perplexedly
- perplexedness
- perplexes
- perplexful
- perplexing
- perplexingly
- perplexities
- perplexity