turn·down
ˈtərn-ˌdau̇n 
turn·down
ˈtərn-ˈdau̇n
: capable of being turned down
especially
: worn turned down
a turndown collar
turned down; turning down; turns down
1
: to reduce the height or intensity of by turning a control
turn down the radio
2
: to fold or double down
3
: to decline to accept : reject
turned down the offer
4
: to turn (a card) face downward
: to be capable of being folded or doubled down
the collar turns down
Synonyms
Examples of turndown in a Sentence
Noun
the request to use the restroom was just a formality—I really didn't expect a turndown
Verb
I'm afraid that I will have to turn down your invitation.
Recent Examples on the Web
Taylor McIntyre, Travel + Leisure, 3 Apr. 2024
The root cause of these turndowns appears to be the manual approach to handling claims.
—Shashank Agarwal, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Every night, a delicious dessert amenity appeared with the turndown service.
—Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 25 Mar. 2024
Suites come with turndown service, continental breakfasts delivered to the room each morning, and mountain views.
—Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 9 Mar. 2024
For the nightly turndown service, guests are presented with food and beverage items that increase melatonin, easing them into sleep naturally.
—Ronny Maye, Essence, 30 Nov. 2023
Other experiences to look forward to: surprise bush meals, romantic bath turndowns, and sipping whiskey by a crackling bonfire.
—Mark Lakin, Travel + Leisure, 27 Dec. 2023
Guests of the latter’s 14 guest rooms and two studios — all with full kitchens and private balconies — can dial the bar for complimentary Midnight Mezcal turndown service.
—Degen Pener, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Dec. 2023
And each evening, turndown service included a plate of chocolates and a small carafe of port.
—Pamela Wright, BostonGlobe.com, 21 July 2023
Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 7 Aug. 2023
Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 12 Apr. 2024
More than half of Gen Zers would turn down a job if the organization didn’t square with their social and political values, a survey of 1,000 Americans reveals.
—Bynick Rockel, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2024
Oakland eventually opened the 100-bed tiny cabin village and a safe overnight parking lot for camp residents, though some turned down the city’s offers.
—Ethan Varian, The Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2024
The Star requested the investigative file under the Missouri Sunshine Law, but was turned down because it is currently considered a closed record, a police spokeswoman said.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2024
Replacing Klopp was always going to be a tricky task, but the stakes feel even higher now that Alonso has turned down Liverpool’s interest.
—Graham Ruthven, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Burns wrote in the complaint that the retaliation against him included Wehle turning down a U.S. Department of Justice grant that would have helped the department hire more officers.
—James Hartley, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Mar. 2024
Clifford, 62, was hired in June 2022 — his second stint with the Hornets — to replace James Borrego after the team was turned down by Golden State Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 3 Apr. 2024
The top reasons freelancers turn down jobs, according to the Wripple study, include a lack of clarity in terms of roles along with inadequate pay.
—The Arizona Republic, 2 Apr. 2024
Noun
In the corner of the bedroom was a small wood-burning fireplace that staff would set up for me at night, along with the turndown service.
—Taylor McIntyre, Travel + Leisure, 3 Apr. 2024
The root cause of these turndowns appears to be the manual approach to handling claims.
—Shashank Agarwal, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Every night, a delicious dessert amenity appeared with the turndown service.
—Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 25 Mar. 2024
Suites come with turndown service, continental breakfasts delivered to the room each morning, and mountain views.
—Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 9 Mar. 2024
For the nightly turndown service, guests are presented with food and beverage items that increase melatonin, easing them into sleep naturally.
—Ronny Maye, Essence, 30 Nov. 2023
Other experiences to look forward to: surprise bush meals, romantic bath turndowns, and sipping whiskey by a crackling bonfire.
—Mark Lakin, Travel + Leisure, 27 Dec. 2023
Guests of the latter’s 14 guest rooms and two studios — all with full kitchens and private balconies — can dial the bar for complimentary Midnight Mezcal turndown service.
—Degen Pener, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Dec. 2023
And each evening, turndown service included a plate of chocolates and a small carafe of port.
—Pamela Wright, BostonGlobe.com, 21 July 2023
Adjective
Room service can be easily ordered via your in-room tablet, and there is nightly turndown service.
—Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 7 Aug. 2023
Verb
But being the guest star in his wife’s beauty tutorials is a role Dempsey will never turn down.
—Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 12 Apr. 2024
More than half of Gen Zers would turn down a job if the organization didn’t square with their social and political values, a survey of 1,000 Americans reveals.
—Bynick Rockel, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2024
Oakland eventually opened the 100-bed tiny cabin village and a safe overnight parking lot for camp residents, though some turned down the city’s offers.
—Ethan Varian, The Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2024
The Star requested the investigative file under the Missouri Sunshine Law, but was turned down because it is currently considered a closed record, a police spokeswoman said.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2024
Replacing Klopp was always going to be a tricky task, but the stakes feel even higher now that Alonso has turned down Liverpool’s interest.
—Graham Ruthven, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Burns wrote in the complaint that the retaliation against him included Wehle turning down a U.S. Department of Justice grant that would have helped the department hire more officers.
—James Hartley, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Mar. 2024
Clifford, 62, was hired in June 2022 — his second stint with the Hornets — to replace James Borrego after the team was turned down by Golden State Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 3 Apr. 2024
The top reasons freelancers turn down jobs, according to the Wripple study, include a lack of clarity in terms of roles along with inadequate pay.
—The Arizona Republic, 2 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'turndown.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
Noun
1849, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adjective
1763, in the meaning defined above
Verb
1533, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2
Dictionary Entries Near turndown
Cite this Entry
“Turndown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turndown. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
turn down
verb1
: to fold back or down
2
: to lower by turning a control
turn down the heat
3
: reject entry 1 sense 1
turned down the job
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