About-faces — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ə-ˈbau̇t-ˈfās/

Meaning & Definition of About-faces

About-faces (noun)

  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-faces (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. 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"

    similar: about-turns (British), flip-flops, reversals, turnabouts, turnarounds, U-turns, volte-faces, changes of heart
    related: bait and switches, switcheroos, denials, disaffirmances, disavowals, disownments, recantations, renunciations, repudiations, retractions, reconsiderations, retreats, second thoughts, hesitations, indecisions, irresolutions, vacillations, wobblings

About-faces (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in backtracks, reverts

    similar: backtracks, countermands, reverts, abrogates, annuls, overturns, repeals, rescinds, revokes, strikes down, reverses, switches
    opposite: maintains, supports, upholds

  2. as in pivots

    similar: pivots, arches, arcs, bends, bows, crooks, curves, hooks, rounds, sweeps, wheels, circles, coils, curls, loops, spirals, skews, slews, turns, twists, winds, breaks, cuts, sheers, swerves, veers, yaws, zags, zigs, weaves, zigzags, deviates, strays, wanders, wavers
    opposite: straightens

Related Entry: About-face (noun)

About-face is a different word from About-faces. The synonyms below are for about-face, not for about-faces.

  1. 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"

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

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for About-faces

The most common words with a similar meaning to About-faces:

British: about-turns
flip-flops, reversals, turnabouts, turnarounds, U-turns, volte-faces, changes of heart, backtracks, countermands, reverts, abrogates, annuls, overturns, repeals, rescinds, revokes, strikes down, reverses, switches, pivots, arches, arcs, bends, bows, crooks, curves, hooks, rounds, sweeps, wheels, circles, coils, curls, loops, spirals, skews, slews, turns, twists, winds

Antonyms & Opposite Words for About-faces

Words with the opposite meaning of About-faces:

maintains, supports, upholds, straightens

Related Words for About-faces

bait and switches, switcheroos, denials, disaffirmances, disavowals, disownments, recantations, renunciations, repudiations, retractions, reconsiderations, retreats, second thoughts, hesitations, indecisions, irresolutions, vacillations, wobblings

Word Forms of About-faces

Derived words: about-face (intransitive verb)

Origin & Etymology of About-faces

from the imperative phrase about face, from about:1 + face:2

First known use: 1835

Frequently Asked Questions about About-faces

What does "About-faces" mean?

"About-faces" means a 180° turn to the right from the position of attention. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a 180° turn to the right from the position of attention. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "About-faces"?

Other words for "About-faces" include about-turns, flip-flops, reversals, turnabouts, turnarounds, U-turns, volte-faces and changes of heart. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "About-faces" you intend.

What are different ways to say "About-faces"?

There are 73 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "About-faces". Common alternatives include about-turns, flip-flops, reversals, turnabouts, turnarounds, U-turns, volte-faces, changes of heart, backtracks and countermands.

What is the opposite of "About-faces"?

Antonyms of "About-faces" include maintains, supports, upholds and straightens.

How do you use "About-faces" in a sentence?

Examples of "About-faces" in a sentence: "the candidate's frequent about-faces on issues disturbs many voters".

Is "About-faces" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"About-faces" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "About-faces"?

"About-faces" is pronounced /ə-ˈbau̇t-ˈfās/.

What is the origin of the word "About-faces"?

"About-faces" comes from from the imperative phrase about face, from about:1 + face:2. First known use: 1835.