turn 1 of 2

1
as in to rotate
to move (something) in a curved or circular path on or as if on an axis turned the doorknob as quietly as possible

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Relevance
2
as in to swing
to change the course or direction of (something) the dog turned the stampeding flock of sheep around he turned his cart uphill

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3
as in to deviate
to change one's course or direction we turned left at the light the storm unexpectedly turned south and missed our area

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4
as in to become
to eventually have as a state or quality will turn 12 in six months

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5
6
7
as in to depend
to be determined by, based on, or subject (to) what we do next turns on your answer to the following question

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8
as in to spin
to be in a confused state as if from being twirled around all the new information made his head turn

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9
as in to persuade
to cause to have often negative opinions formed without sufficient knowledge he did his best to turn his new friends against his ex-wife

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turn

2 of 2

noun

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5
as in bout
a sudden experiencing of a physical or mental disorder a sudden turn of dizziness that may have been brought on by a change in her medication

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6
as in act
a performance regularly presented by an individual or group between the show's two major musical acts, there was a short turn by a juggling troupe

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of turn
Verb
Karen Solie looks at the most mundane details of the commercialized landscape and, with a few twists, turns them to gold. Literary Hub, 1 July 2025 Somehow, the Dolphins’ general manager and head coach found a way to turn two difficult situations into a playmaking safety, whose return gives Grier a chance to right one of his former wrongs. Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 1 July 2025
Noun
If those facilities close, many locals would see their five-minute trip to Webster County hospital turn into a nearly hour-long ride to the nearest hospital offering the same services. Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 4 July 2025 And as Portugal players broke from their post-match huddle to applaud the travelling supporters, who in turn presented them with a large black banner bearing Jota’s name, its message felt all the more prescient for a nation whose football teams run through it like a main artery. Megan Feringa, New York Times, 4 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for turn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turn
Verb
  • Label and rotate: Mark containers with dates to keep track of leftovers.
    Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 June 2025
  • Anjin will serve a small, rotating menu with some cocktails and plenty of sake.
    Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 29 June 2025
Verb
  • As a tugboat pushed against the front right side of the ship, the back of the vessel began to swing toward the Brooklyn Bridge.
    Doc Louallen, ABC News, 30 June 2025
  • Jessica Alba and her 17-year-old daughter Honor swung by Wimbledon on their way back from Venice, Italy, where the pair attended the Bezos-Sánchez wedding.
    Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • The fatal flight’s initial trajectory in the air is also somewhat typical and does not deviate significantly from the previous seven Air India Flight 171 departures from Ahmedabad, according to historical flight data.
    Mika Gröndahl, New York Times, 28 June 2025
  • The image had shown a dessert dramatically deviating from the typical McDonald's serving, yet presented without explanation—leaving much to speculation.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • If the sky becomes menacing and thunder becomes audible, seek out a safe place to seek shelter.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 29 June 2025
  • Who would have thought that robots could become the unsung heroes of heritage?
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 29 June 2025
Verb
  • The central theme of Season 2 revolves tightly around how well Sauron can narcissistically charm his way into the hearts of those around him, until, like a frog in a slow-boiling pot, the objects of his desires realize they’ve been manipulated the entire time.
    Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 8 May 2025
  • In a sport that revolves so much around India, Australia and England, it’s been a breath of fresh air that South Africa made a barnstorming run to the final.
    Tristan Lavalette, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
Verb
  • The modern 55 and older homebuyer isn’t looking to sit all day on a recliner pondering our end of life options.
    Jamie Gold, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • The two countries have been engaged in aerial strikes and Trump had been pondering U.S. involvement for the past week.
    Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • Their cells grew to tolerate it, and then to depend on it.
    Laura Poppick, Rolling Stone, 30 June 2025
  • Both programs would have to depend entirely on current tax receipts from active workers — in just eight years.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • Teddy Roosevelt would've been spinning in his grave.
    Carlo Versano, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
  • The crass charmer Loretta (Judith Miller) is spit-shining her establishment, known for its knick-knacks alongside an Orange Crush machine that spins the sugary libation.
    David John Chávez, Mercury News, 28 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Turn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turn. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

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