U-turn

noun

ˈyü-ˌtərn How to pronounce U-turn (audio)
Synonyms of U-turnnext
1
: a turn resembling the letter U
especially : a 180-degree turn made by a vehicle in a road
2
: something (such as a reversal of policy) resembling a U-turn

Synonyms of U-turn

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Examples of U-turn in a Sentence

an abrupt U-turn of her support for the candidate after hearing the news of his misdeeds
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
According to court documents, Manuel Hernandez, the tour boat captain, made a U-turn and a swell swamped the bow, capsizing the boat with 14 people on board. — Adi Guajardo, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026 About three hours and 20 minutes into the excursion, Hernandez allegedly made a U-turn while heading toward the Statue of Liberty, bringing the vessel into a swell that may have been caused by the wake of a larger passing boat. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 10 Aug. 2026 Gaik Pobokhian said the driver, who was not affiliated with the preschool, had been attempting to make a U-turn in the school’s parking lot when the crash occurred, according to CBS Los Angeles. — Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 8 Aug. 2026 Starmer stepped down in July after two years in office, following missteps, policy U-turns and his failure to get Britain’s sluggish economy growing. — ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for U-turn

Word History

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of U-turn was in 1906

Rhymes for U-turn

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Browse Nearby Words

U-tube
U-turn
UV
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Cite this Entry

“U-turn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/U-turn. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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