volte-face
Sudden policy switch
A volte-face is an abrupt and complete reversal of position or opinion.
The term comes from French (literally "turn-face") and retains a formal or literary flavor: The senator's volte-face on immigration surprised his supporters.
It emphasizes the dramatic nature of the change—not a gradual shift but a sudden about-face.
Direction-reversing driving maneuver
- flip-flopSudden change of position
- backtrackingReversing to find alternatives
- turnaroundShift in opposite direction
- change of heartReversal of opinion
recantation · retraction · reversal · reconsideration · climb-down · withdrawal · rescindment · annulment
Point of rotation
- realignmentAdjusting relative positions
- repositioningMoving to new spot
- policy reversalAbandoning a previous position
- u-turn180-degree driving reversal
backtrack · climbdown · flip-flop · reorientation · shift · recalibration · softening · hardening
Abandoning one's loyalty
- apostasyRenunciation of former beliefs
- desertionUnlawful abandonment of duty
- turncoatOne who betrays allegiance
- treacheryDeliberate violation of trust
abandonment · disloyalty · renegade · betrayal · double-cross · sellout · treason · perfidy
Violent sudden disturbance
- astonishmentIntense sudden wonder
- stunningExtremely impressive or beautiful
- unexpectedNot anticipated beforehand
- blindsideSurprise with unexpected force
bombshell · jaw-dropping · whiplash · incredulity · disbelief · consternation · bewilderment · startling
Lack of steady pattern
- hypocrisyPretense of virtue
- double standardUnequally applied moral code
- paradoxSeemingly absurd truth
- discrepancyDifference between expected and actual
incongruity · incoherence · self-contradiction · mixed signals · saying one thing · flip-flopping · two-faced · duplicity
U-turn
Direction-reversing driving maneuver
- flip-flopSudden change of position
- backtrackingReversing to find alternatives
- turnaroundShift in opposite direction
change of heart · recantation · retraction · reversal · reconsideration · climb-down · withdrawal · rescindment · annulment · revocation
pivot
Point of rotation
- realignmentAdjusting relative positions
- repositioningMoving to new spot
- policy reversalAbandoning a previous position
u-turn · backtrack · climbdown · flip-flop · reorientation · shift · recalibration · softening · hardening · walkback
defection
Abandoning one's loyalty
- apostasyRenunciation of former beliefs
- desertionUnlawful abandonment of duty
- turncoatOne who betrays allegiance
treachery · abandonment · disloyalty · renegade · betrayal · double-cross · sellout · treason · perfidy · faithlessness
shock
Violent sudden disturbance
- astonishmentIntense sudden wonder
- stunningExtremely impressive or beautiful
- unexpectedNot anticipated beforehand
blindside · bombshell · jaw-dropping · whiplash · incredulity · disbelief · consternation · bewilderment · startling · abrupt
inconsistency
Lack of steady pattern
- hypocrisyPretense of virtue
- double standardUnequally applied moral code
- paradoxSeemingly absurd truth
discrepancy · incongruity · incoherence · self-contradiction · mixed signals · saying one thing · flip-flopping · two-faced · duplicity
- reversalsreverse, undo, revert, overturn, flip
- reinventionfresh start, starting over, new beginning, clean slate, new chapter
- second thoughtssecond thoughts, reconsideration, rethinking, change of mind, change of heart
volte-facesteadfastness
Firm loyal dedication
constancy · consistency · perseverance · persistence · resolve
volte-facecontinuation
Act of proceeding further
persistence · proceeding · following through · pressing on · carrying on
face, facial, efface, volt, facially, about-face, effacement