Find Synonyms
turnabout Synonyms
Another word for turnabout
Choosing another word for turnabout depends on context, so the 12 synonyms and similar words below are separated across 3 exact definitions and ranked by match strength.
• noun (Context 1)
An abrupt and complete reversal of direction, opinion, policy, or attitude.
Usage Example
"The committee's sudden reversal on the zoning law surprised everyone at the council meeting."
Strongest
reversal
about-face
volte-face
turnaround
Strong
u-turn
flip-flop
sea change
• noun (Context 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.
Usage Example
"After years of teasing his younger brother, he found that retaliation is fair play when his brother beat him at chess."
Strong
retaliation
tit for tat
payback
reprisal
• noun (Context 3)
A wide area, such as at the end of a dead-end street or driveway, designed to allow vehicles to turn around.
Usage Example
"The delivery truck used the paved turnaround at the end of the lane to head back toward the main road."
Strongest
turnaround
Strong
cul-de-sac
Opposites of turnabout
The opposite of turnabout shifts depending on context. Common opposites include:
continuation
consistency
persistence
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Synonyms for Turnabout. In Wordmom Thesaurus. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/synonyms/turnabout