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Synonyms

turnabout

American  
[turn-uh-bout] / ˈtɜrn əˌbaʊt /

noun

  1. the act of turning in a different or opposite direction.

  2. a change of opinion, loyalty, etc.

  3. a reciprocal action; act of doing to someone exactly as that person has done to oneself or another.

    Turnabout is fair play.

  4. a person who changes things; a radical.

  5. Chiefly British. merry-go-round.


turnabout British  
/ ˈtɜːnəˌbaʊt /

noun

  1. the act of turning so as to face a different direction

  2. a change or reversal of opinion, attitude, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.

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

The turnabout has been particularly stark with stocks and digital tokens with direct associations to the president and his family.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 29, 2025

Having been preoccupied with saving a season, Skipper acknowledged being blissfully unaware of any narratives about who’s done what to spark his team’s turnabout.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 13, 2025

After a turnabout in fortunes in the city, New York real-estate titans are now slobbering over the chance to tear down the Roosevelt and convert it into a luxury skyscraper.

From Slate • Jul. 17, 2025

Her classmates congregated at the gazebo at its center and used the square as a turnabout when they cruised the main drag, ending up at the Walmart parking lot.

From "The Serpent King" by Jeff Zentner

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