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Definition of turnabout

turnabout

/ˈtɜːrn.ə.baʊt/
turn · a · bout
Plural:turnabouts
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turnabout Lexical Profile

turnabout Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

An abrupt and complete reversal of direction, opinion, policy, or attitude.

Example

"The committee's sudden turnabout on the zoning law surprised everyone at the council meeting."

2

An act of retaliation or a situation in which roles are reversed so that someone experiences the same treatment they previously gave to others.

Example

"After years of teasing his younger brother, he found that turnabout is fair play when his brother beat him at chess."

3

North American A wide area, such as at the end of a dead-end street or driveway, designed to allow vehicles to turn around.

Example

"The delivery truck used the paved turnabout at the end of the lane to head back toward the main road."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

turmoil
turn
turnable
turnabout
turnaround
turncoat
turndown

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the 16th century as a compound of the verb 'turn' and the adverb 'about'. It originally referred to a physical rotation or a merry-go-round before acquiring its figurative sense of a complete reversal in opinion or fortune.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Turnabout. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/turnabout
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