turnabout

noun

turn·​about ˈtərn-ə-ˌbau̇t 

1

a

: a change or reversal of direction, trend, policy, role, or character

b

: a changing from one allegiance to another

c

: turncoat, renegade

d

: an act or instance of retaliating

turnabout is fair play

2

: merry-go-round

Synonyms

• about-face
• about-turn [British]
• flip-flop
• reversal
• turnaround
• U-turn
• volte-face

Examples of turnabout in a Sentence

employees regarded the latest turnabout as a sure sign that management hadn't a clue as to what it was doing

Recent Examples on the Web

The turnabout has created a pleasing narrative for those aggrieved at scientific governance. —Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2025

Daniel Webster, a leading expert on firearm policy at the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions, said the turnabout has been stunning. —Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 30 Jan. 2025

In a turnabout, Mr. Trump recently praised the program, aligning himself with Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, who have championed the visa program, even as it was criticized by other Trump allies, including Steve Bannon, who had served in the first Trump administration. —Miriam Jordan, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025

The move by the Trump administration is a turnabout of a long-standing U.S. policy that has extended TPS to more than a half million Venezuelans. —Greg Allen, NPR, 4 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1710, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing turnabout

• turnabout is fair play

Rhymes for turnabout

• roundabout
• runabout
• sauerkraut
• thereabout
• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout

Kids Definition

turnabout

noun

turn·​about ˈtər-nə-ˌbau̇t 

: a change from one direction or one way of thinking or acting to the opposite