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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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
  • In addition to the usual fitness center, there are yoga and meditation rooms, and complimentary stretching, yoga, and meditation classes are held on a rotating schedule throughout the week.
    Hannah Freedman, Travel + Leisure, 13 July 2025
  • That’s proven to be a fruitful investment for the Yankees, who have primarily rotated Bellinger in the three outfield spots but use him intermittently at first base, too.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • When Bacho moves in to make a move, Sakamoto swings a stock pot at Bacho's head, rendering him unconscious.
    Allison DeGrushe Published, EW.com, 14 July 2025
  • But when the opportunity presented itself to purchase the building block, Batchelor swung at the chance.
    Madeline Weinfield, Southern Living, 13 July 2025
Verb
  • Instead, the Olympian’s attention deviated to the officer’s appearance.
    Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
  • That’s not dissimilar from what happened in the TikTok case, where the justices — including the liberals — deviated from free-speech norms because they were panicked by concerns about China.
    Noah Feldman, Mercury News, 5 July 2025
Verb
  • As days pass, conditions on the ground are becoming more difficult.
    ABC News, ABC News, 11 July 2025
  • Though this was a theatrical release, the studio viewed it as a backdoor pilot for a TV series, which became The Adventures of Superman.
    Will Harris, EW.com, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • Joining Lake are a revolving panel of judges including Ross Matthews, fitness instructor Cody Rigsby, and actresses Dulcé Sloan and Dascha Polanco.
    Leia Mendoza, Variety, 2 July 2025
  • State capitalization grants Since 1987, EPA has given states money for revolving loan programs that provide low-interest loans to state and local governments to clean up waterways and provide safe drinking water.
    Janet McCabe, The Conversation, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • The Rafael Devers blockbuster is probably the biggest deal that will go down, but the temptation is there to ponder other earthshaking possibilities, no matter how remote.
    Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 11 July 2025
  • Viewing the team’s three-year stint here as an audition of sorts, officials have pondered if the local enthusiasm for baseball could help prove the Sacramento region as a welcome home for MLB.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • Eventually, the Catholic hierarchy decided that depending on Kongo interpreters was too chancy and began devoting their energies to making sure the clergy learned Kikongo.
    Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 12 July 2025
  • Changing this idea to an in-game system where you are now being asked to achieve something (go flawless in Trials of Osiris) to unlock the ability to buy a digital ornament for real money (this will cost about $7-10 depending on your Silver stores).
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • When the veteran shortstop made a spinning midair throw to Toro for the first out of the ninth, the crowd roared.
    Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 12 July 2025
  • The truck was rear-ended by a Dodge pickup, which subsequently spun and was struck by a passing box truck, according to DPS spokesperson Raul Garcia Jr. The five injured were taken to a hospital, which included the driver of the pickup truck who suffered serious injuries, Garcia said.
    Michelle Cruz, AZCentral.com, 11 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Turn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turn. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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