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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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

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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
Eventually, that part-time set-up turned into 40-hour-plus weeks of work after school. Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2026 After a week of offensive performances that were as cold as the weather, the bats got hot, helping lead the Mets to two wins in San Francisco as the California weather turned pleasantly warm. Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 5 Apr. 2026
Noun
Devin Carter had to bide his time and wait his turn during his first two seasons with the Sacramento Kings. Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 11 Apr. 2026 That judgment can, in turn, open the door to stronger collection tools. Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for turn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turn
Verb
  • On the starboard side lies a custom wine cellar, while forward are two guest cabins, one VIP, and an owner’s suite with a rotating bed that swivels to create more space in the dressing room and en suite.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2026
  • The Barnes Welcome Center also houses a gallery, indoor and outdoor classrooms, office space, and a locker room for Duke Gardens' rotating crew of 250 volunteers.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The man, wearing a yellow shirt and black shorts, walks up to the woman and immediately swings the hammer at her head.
    Gisela Salomon, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
  • Gold prices have swung between historic highs and lower levels since late 2025, as geopolitical tensions and trade concerns have prompted some investors toward the safe-haven asset.
    Liz Knueven, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • There’s been times when he’s deviated from such plans in the past for that reason.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Other statistical approaches model seabeds and identify anomalies that deviate from it.
    John Femiani, The Conversation, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • From a distance, the scenes seemed like classical interpretations of the Stations, but on closer inspection things became a little stranger.
    Douglas Stuart, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2026
  • Shane Lowry, who made a hole-in-one on the par-3 sixth hole to become the first player to have a pair of aces in the Masters, had a 69 and was two shots behind.
    Doug Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • But right now, the oil market is the sun around which the stock market revolves.
    Zev Fima, CNBC, 5 Apr. 2026
  • But now, instead of playing six notes, create this similar kind of a revolving pattern.
    George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • And maybe one of those records was… The bard of New England dares to get meaningful on this two-part song, which begins by pondering the mysteries of time and ends with a singalong ode to seasonal renewal.
    Brett Milano, Boston Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Let’s ponder recently released 2024 statistics.
    Jeff Goertzen, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Smooth push and pull design so it can be steered like a stroller or pulled like a wagon depending on the situation.
    Tory Johnson, ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026
  • In it, Dekeyser assembles a history and taxonomy of the refusal of technologies, even ones that humans had come to depend on in their daily lives.
    Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The plot that spins from this opening includes a series of events involving philosophy, parenting, mental health, disability, romance and international art terrorism that would take several columns worth to summarize.
    John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2026
  • Invitees will be welcomed with Martell’s French 75 while a DJ spins the hottest beats before Davido himself arrives on Sunday, April 12.
    Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Turn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turn. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.

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