Antonyms for volte-face


Grammar : Noun, verb
Spell : volt-fahs, vohlt-; French vawltuh-fas
Phonetic Transcription : vɒltˈfɑs, voʊlt-; French vɔltəˈfas


Definition of volte-face

Origin :
  • a reversal of opinion, 1819, French, from Italian volta faccia, literally "turn face," from volta, imper. of voltare "to turn" (from Vulgar Latin *volvita, from Latin volvere "to roll;" see volvox) + faccia (see face).
  • As in reversal : noun about-face
  • As in reverse : noun opposite
  • As in turnabout : noun about-face
  • As in U-turn : noun about-face
  • As in retraction : noun recantation
  • As in change of heart : noun altered attitude
  • As in volte face : noun position change
  • As in palinode : noun retraction
  • As in recantation : noun retraction
  • As in rescission : noun reversal
  • As in retractation : noun retraction
  • As in turnaround : noun reversal
  • As in about-face : noun complete change
  • As in pivot : verb revolve around center point
  • As in swing : verb move back and forth; be suspended
  • As in turn : verb reverse; change course
  • As in veer : verb change direction
  • As in deflect : verb bounce off; turn aside
  • As in divert : verb turn a different direction
Example sentences :
  • It was the same as that which he had for Hincks's volte-face. '
  • Extract from : « The Tribune of Nova Scotia » by W. L. (William Lawson) Grant
  • For if the volte-face is general, the only embarrassment arises from not executing it.
  • Extract from : « The Angel of Pain » by E. F. Benson
  • But Russia's betrayal is not sufficient to account for the Serbian volte-face.
  • Extract from : « After the Rain » by Sam Vaknin
  • Such a volte-face as this was not only palpably unjust, it was altogether too nimble a bit of gymnastics for Duplay to appreciate.
  • Extract from : « Tristram of Blent » by Anthony Hope
  • What will justify such a volte-face and with what excuse can he repudiate the principles with which he justified his takeover?
  • Extract from : « The Origins of Contemporary France, Volume 4 (of 6) » by Hippolyte A. Taine
  • The volte-face sounds more abrupt than it really was if it be remembered that he never had more than one object in view at a time.
  • Extract from : « Sonia Between two Worlds » by Stephen McKenna
  • And for all their talk of freedom, Lennan could see the volte-face his friends would be making, if they only knew.
  • Extract from : « The Dark Flower » by John Galsworthy
  • These four factors coalesced during 1948 and led to a reassessment of policy and, finally, to a volte-face.
  • Extract from : « Integration of the Armed Forces, 1940-1965 » by Morris J. MacGregor, Jr.
  • Lastly, they have, in its highest development, the capacity to make a volte-face with grace and equanimity.
  • Extract from : « A Woman's Impression of the Philippines » by Mary H. (Mary Helen) Fee
  • Bulgaria's present volte-face is no chance product of panic, but a logical step in her national policy.
  • Extract from : « World's War Events, Volume III » by Various

Synonyms for volte-face

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019