turnabout
Americannoun
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the act of turning in a different or opposite direction.
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a change of opinion, loyalty, etc.
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a reciprocal action; act of doing to someone exactly as that person has done to oneself or another.
Turnabout is fair play.
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a person who changes things; a radical.
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Chiefly British. merry-go-round.
noun
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the act of turning so as to face a different direction
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a change or reversal of opinion, attitude, etc
Etymology
Origin of turnabout
First recorded in 1590–1600; noun use of verb phrase turn about
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Even if he fails in court, Cohen’s turnabout has muddied the case in the court of public opinion, letting Trump claim vindication.
From Slate ● Aug. 24, 2026
U.S. use of Ukraine-tested innovations marks a turnabout.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 7, 2026
The company’s turnabout moved Goldman Sachs to raise the stock to a Buy from a Hold last week, while upping its price target to $80 from $64.
From Barron's ● Dec. 23, 2025
But in a sudden turnabout a month later, prosecutors moved to dismiss the indictment against Martinez.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 1, 2025
“By the way they smell, those monkeys must have been taking turnabout wearing them.”
From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
