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
But in his second term, Trump's aggressive trade policies and confrontational stance toward America's allies are threatening to turn that populist wave into a dangerous undertow. Scott Neuman, NPR, 23 Apr. 2025 Francis’ Death Silences a Voice for the Voiceless As democratic values and alliances were being turned upside down, the pope was a consistent moral guidepost. Helene Cooper Jason Horowitz Claire Brown Maureen Cavanagh, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2025
Noun
The authors suggest this tolerance let Deinosuchus thrive in coastal habitats that hosted large prey, in turn growing to enormous proportions. Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Apr. 2025 The Department of Transportation proposes adding a traffic signal to the intersection and dedicated turn lanes from First Avenue onto Atlanta Street in Gravette. Nwa Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 24 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for turn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turn
Verb
  • Stop in for handcrafted cocktails, beer, and wine in the company of live music and rotating art installations.
    Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Wilcke: While the quarterbacks rotated early and often, Loftis and Harrell looked to be in a 1A-1B role, while Wilcke worked with the second team.
    Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 20 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The former mayor of Salzburg gave the project the go-head in 2024, but now a governmental skirmish has begun after the mayoral office swung from the political right to the left after an election.
    Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The second player swings the ball across the top of the key to the second side.
    Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Related Articles While not completely deviating from his wartime attire, Zelensky partially adhered to the Vatican’s dress code for the somber occasion.
    Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 27 Apr. 2025
  • With all your company’s data and operations in a unified platform, your team can monitor patterns and identify incidents that deviate from the norm.
    Bek Abdullayev, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • That creates more space between couples, as their relationship becomes secondary to curing the cancer.
    Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 1 May 2025
  • Collaborations have become an important part of the modern business model.
    Jennifer Maas, Variety, 30 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Scenic designer Marty Burnett has once again created two large cabinet walls with pop-open panels for actors and stagehands to pass props through, but this time the walls revolve.
    Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2025
  • The central conflict revolves a lot around Lex Luther's attempts to defeat and destroy Superman.
    Mike Miller, EW.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Once the news of her pending nuptials to ex-professional snowboarder Shaun White hit, inquiring minds were quick to ponder what her bridal beauty prep and wedding makeup looks might entail.
    Jessica Ourisman, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Exploring themes of empty consumerism, social isolation, and toxic masculinity before that phrase entered the cultural lexicon, American Psycho gives the audience a lot to ponder in addition to operating as an entertaining horror film.
    Johnny Loftus, EW.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Last but not least is Cassy—or Cassie, depending on the day—and her kittens.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
  • This pick is just 12.5 inches in height, but Coach also offers other sizes depending on your needs.
    Isis Briones, Travel + Leisure, 19 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Less than two months later, the Warriors then spun Schröder to the Pistons in the multi-team trade that sent Jimmy Butler to the Bay Area.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Although deGrom gave up just one run over seven strong innings, Yamamoto spun seven scoreless innings at Globe Life Field.
    Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Turn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turn. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

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