1 turnabout | Definition of turnabout

turnabout

noun
turn·​about | \ ˈtərn-ə-ˌbau̇t How to pronounce turnabout (audio) \

Definition of turnabout

1a : a change or reversal of direction, trend, policy, role, or character
b : a changing from one allegiance to another
d : an act or instance of retaliating turnabout is fair play

Keep scrolling for more

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

Occasionally the magnetic field experiences a complete polarity reversal, causing the magnetic north and south poles to switch places, although no one knows exactly what causes this turnabout. — Emily Toomey, Smithsonian, "Earth’s Magnetic Field Could Take Longer to Flip Than Previously Thought," 8 Aug. 2019 But then, suddenly, there was turnabout and the turnstiles. — Mark Goodman, The Denver Post, "Backpass: Wins are fixing the Rapids’ serious attendance problem in Commerce City," 7 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'turnabout.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of turnabout

1789, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for turnabout

turnabout

noun
turn·​about | \ ˈtərn-ə-ˌbau̇t How to pronounce turnabout (audio) \

Kids Definition of turnabout

: a change from one direction or one way of thinking or acting to the opposite In a complete turnabout, he admitted that he had lied.

More from Merriam-Webster on turnabout

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with turnabout

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for turnabout

Nglish: Translation of turnabout for Spanish Speakers

×

You're never
too cool to learn something new.

Sign up for our Word of the Day
daily newsletter!