turn 1 of 2

verb

ˈtərn How to pronounce turn (audio)
Definition of turnnext
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to revolve
to move in circles around an axis or center the wheels turned, but the car was hopelessly stuck and wasn't moving

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6
as in to ponder
to give serious and careful thought to turned the question every which way but could find no answer

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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

1
as in walk
a relaxed journey on foot for exercise or pleasure would you care to take a turn around the garden?

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2
as in kindness
an act of kind assistance one good turn deserves another

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3
as in tendency
a habitual attraction to some activity or thing an adventurous turn of mind that led him toward more physical activities like biking and skateboarding

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4
as in bend
something that curves or is curved right after this turn in the road you'll find the antiques shop on the right

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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
With 17 of 21 practices complete, the FIU Panthers are turning the page on fall camp. — Alejandro Hernandez, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026 If Britney Spears can hire ghostwriters to help turn her partial memories into polished prose, why does asking ChatGPT to do the same thing feel like a whole other ball game? — Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026
Noun
Three Fall Must-Dos Cruise one of the most underrated fall drives in the US—the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway, encompassing winding Needles Highway in Custer State Park and Iron Mountain Road, famous for its 300-plus hairpin turns. — Taryn Shorr-McKee, Midwest Living, 26 Aug. 2026 Curry, who died Tuesday at 80, made a gleefully evil turn as a clown that sparked nightmares for legions of Gen X and millennial viewers that continue to haunt to this day. — Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for turn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turn
  1. rotate
  2. swing
  3. deviate
  4. become
  5. revolve
  6. ponder
  7. depend
  8. spin
Verb
  • The screen can tilt 20 degrees up or down, swivel right and left 15 degrees, and even rotate 90 degrees into portrait mode.
    — Joe Salas August 28, New Atlas, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Investor attention is currently shifting toward a growing divergence within technology equities, as market capital rotates away from mega-cap tech giants and into the AI infrastructure supply chain.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of rotate
Verb
  • Instead, the chief executive said Hilton's middle- and upper-middle segments have swung from posting negative numbers to growing at rates as high as 6%.
    — Alex Harring, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The Slingshot surges forward as the tach swings toward redline, the exhaust emitting a guttural howl.
    — William Roberson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of swing
Verb
  • City officials previously said that the Boveys deviated substantially from the initial plans.
    — Susan Sarkauskas, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The artisans stay true to the original colors and designs of the park — never deviating in 70 years.
    — Carole Horst, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of deviate
Verb
  • The Sun conjoins Mercury in Virgo and your 4th House of Home, Family, and Emotional Roots, helping private needs become easier to name.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026
  • But when shovels become too expensive, the miners start forging their own.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of become
Verb
  • And some events are fine to skip altogether, especially ones that revolve almost entirely around drinking.
    — Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Even in the face of all that pressure, the shows — which debuted the tour’s four revolving setlists — were wildly successful, with tributes to Peart helping one of rock’s most cerebral bands hit new heights of emotional impact.
    — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of revolve
Verb
  • Sierra College has three quarterbacks to ponder, and all will play early, Noonan said.
    — JOE DAVIDSON, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The question to ponder in sports today is whether speech functions as an act with a cost or as a renewable resource for an audience happy to waste time on slop.
    — Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of ponder
Verb
  • Fry the chicken for approximately 3-4 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until golden brown and cooked through.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • But some experts say there is more nuance to the lifestyle than previously thought, and even positives, depending on how people look at it.
    — Amen Galinato, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of depend
Verb
  • Perry noted that unlike other spinning coasters, whose rotation may depend on weight distribution within the vehicle, these coaster cars are programmed to spin at specific times along the track, in sync with the on-board audio.
    — Eve Chen, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Before and after each screening, Cinespia’s signature DJs will spin sets while guests can enjoy the beer and wine bars as well as concession stands scattered throughout the cemetery grounds.
    — Beatrice Verhoeven, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of spin

Phrases Containing turn

Browse Nearby Words

turmoils
turn
turnabout
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Cite this Entry

“Turn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turn. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

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