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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2
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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
The first lady, meanwhile, is on a safari in Africa and hard to pin down, and a moment where POTUS’ phone call with her drops out as 18 minutes turn into four and even fewer is one of an arsenal of devastating hammers Bigelow drops on you. Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2025 After signing a one-year deal in free agency with the storied franchise, the 41-year-old quarterback who will turn 42 in December is looking to ride off into the sunset with a Super Bowl win. Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
This, in turn, leads to inflammation in the area. Jenny McCoy, SELF, 3 Sep. 2025 Irons won a Best Actor Oscar in 1991 for Reversal of Fortune for his turn as Claus von Bulow. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for turn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turn
Verb
  • Following Coulombeau, the visiting chefs will rotate yearly but the concepts will stay the same with brightly colored accent sauces and condiments meant to challenge diners to investigate their own favorite flavor combinations.
    Alissa Fitzgerald, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
  • Uranus has largely been defined by data gathered during Voyager 2’s flyby, but another, more detailed visit to the ice giant, which rotates on its side, is overdue to shed light on the planet’s atmospheric dynamics, complex magnetic field and what led to the creation of its extreme tilt and rings.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Longtime guitarist Dougie Needles swung his axe over his left shoulder, holding it aloft for a late solo during the closing number.
    Jim Ryan, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
  • Not shown is non-GAAP earnings that swung into profitability in 2024 with 28 cents per share earned compared to 10 cents per share lost in 2023 and a loss of 41 cents per share in 2022.
    Todd Gordon, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The Uncut Gems star's ensemble deviates from his signature style, which typically includes oversize T-shirts, hoodies and shorts, as well as stylish sneakers.
    Charna Flam, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
  • The manager did not believe a lineup that had slugged the most home runs in the National League needed to deviate from its identity to finally produce runs with a modicum of consistency.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Native viburnums, such as Arrowwood and Blackhaw, show off red, yellow and purple foliage in the fall, along with berries that also become winter bird feeders.
    Chris McKeown, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Sinner could become the first repeat men’s champion in New York since Roger Federer won the hard-court tournament five years in a row from 2004-08.
    Howard Fendrich, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The revolving theater attraction chronicles how technological advances have shaped the lives of an American family, primarily across the 20th Century.
    Eve Chen, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
  • For her take on enduring Grease style, Bieber revolved her going-out look around a boxy moto jacket—one of her signature wardrobe staples.
    Christian Allaire, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Eagle-eyed audiences will ponder the connection between an artist who’s become persona non grata in American culture and Roberts as a professor who is facing accusations and persecution of her own.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 29 Aug. 2025
  • Superstar salaries Finally, ponder California occupations where wages exceed $100,000 at the 90th percentile.
    Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 29 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • That includes businesses that provide professional services, such as doctors, lawyers, consultants, athletes, and brokers—typically, any business whose success depends on the reputation or skill of its employees.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2025
  • OpenAI also says there is a 45 percent to 65 percent reduction in factual errors over GPT-4, depending on the setting, as well as substantial gains in handling medical and coding tasks on industry-standard benchmarks.
    Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The flat triggered the race’s only caution when Kaden Honeycutt spun in response, shaking up the running order.
    Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 30 Aug. 2025
  • Performed from a third-person perspective, the perspective of the blues, Nourished by Time spins an old-fashioned yarn about a man working a restaurant job and writing ballads at night.
    Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Turn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turn. Accessed 7 Sep. 2025.

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