turn 1 of 2

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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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

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noun

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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
Nimmo, who turns 33 on the second day of the regular season, has more plate appearances in the leadoff spot than any other spot in the lineup for his career, but had moved lower in the New York Mets lineup the last two seasons with Francisco Lindor getting more time at the top. Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 15 Feb. 2026 Cora celebrated his 50th birthday in October, Xander and Isander will turn nine in July, and Camila graduated from Boston College last May. Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 15 Feb. 2026
Noun
Her only event is skeleton, in which athletes travel at about 80 mph down an icy mile-long track with 16 turns. Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026 Chalamet picked up a Critics Choice Award last month for his turn as a table tennis hotshot on a chaotic quest for greatness. Christi Carras, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for turn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turn
Verb
  • Use a broom or vacuum cleaner with the rotating beater bar turned off (suction and stationary brush only).
    Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2026
  • The central bank faces shifting dynamics this year, with a rotating cast of regional presidents that seems titled toward a more aggressive posture on fighting inflation and a chair-designate, Kevin Warsh, who is likely to push for lower rates.
    Jeff Cox, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Within seconds, Perez smacked a cellphone out of the man's hand, swung at his head and tackled him to the ground.
    Sheridan Hendrix, USA Today, 12 Feb. 2026
  • Over the past decade, screening guidelines have swung from recommending routine screening to advising against it to landing somewhere in between, and major organizations still don’t all say it the same way.
    Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The judges judge in relation to that baseline score and can’t deviate too far from it.
    Zack Pierce, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Yet Kurnos said that Scripps has deviated from its peers with other moves, such as growing Scripps Sports with local media rights.
    Lillian Rizzo, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • If he’s confirmed by the Senate to lead the central bank after Chair Jerome Powell’s term ends in May, Warsh will preside over a 12-person rate-setting committee that has become starkly divided in recent months.
    Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Damian Lillard became only the third player to win the three-point contest three times, scoring 29 points at Intuit Dome.
    Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Here, there is also a sushi bar, a patisserie worthy of a Parisian sojourn, a cafe, and a buffet (and a la carte) with a revolving variety of regional and international options.
    Rachel Morris, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Feb. 2026
  • His latest work, which is set, and shot, in a remote Turkish mountain village, revolves on a land dispute rooted in the conflict over rights for Turkey’s Kurdish minority.
    Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 15 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Here's a fascinating premise to ponder!
    Jeff Spry, Space.com, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Seven years ago, Williams was sitting in his bed in his New York studio apartment, eating pizza out of the box and pondering where to take his career.
    Tara Larson, Footwear News, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Whether Silicon Valley’s early embrace becomes an asset or a liability may depend on how voters interpret the flood of tech money — as proof of confidence in a pragmatic mayor or as a sign that the industry is trying to shape the state’s political future.
    Grace Hase, Mercury News, 12 Feb. 2026
  • In some states, Powerball tickets can be bought online depending on local jurisdiction.
    Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 12 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Taken together, these features strongly suggest the object was part of a bow drill — a device that spins a shaft using a bow and string to create rapid back-and-forth rotation.
    Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
  • The elusive, incredibly difficult jump involves launching forward, spinning 4 1/2 times in the air, and landing backwards.
    Alex Connor, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Turn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turn. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.

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