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
Burke is a two-time mirrorball champion herself, following in the long line of former professional dancers turned temporary, one-night only judges. Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2025 According to officials, Usiripalli then turned toward a second 17-year-old seated in 43E and allegedly lunged, stabbing him in the back of the head with the same fork. Sarah Rumpf-Whitten , Adriana James-Rodil, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
Last year, officials discussed the possibility of a pilot program to restrict left turns from Alton Road into the southern section of North Bay Road, from 21st to 27th streets, the part of the road that officials said is most commonly used as a cut-through. Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025 Even House Speaker Mike Johnson, who otherwise has humored Trump at every turn, has expressed revulsion at the idea of a pardon. Robin Abcarian, Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for turn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turn
Verb
  • Students rotate between roles from time to time and clean the whole campus as a team every single day.
    MSNBC Newsweek, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
  • These jets can begin to fan out as the nucleus of the comet rotates.
    Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Parsons signed a multiyear extension upon arrival and has already produced game‑changing pressure and splash plays that helped swing the second half in Pittsburgh, giving the Packers a top-tier pass rush to pair with Love’s ascending offense.
    Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
  • When not in use, the flaps swing open, allowing the soldier to listen normally.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 26 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Those on the conference call would likely face very human dilemmas, and that might lead them to deviate from the rules, added Erin Dumbacher, an expert in nuclear policy at the Council on Foreign Relations.
    Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Reagan championed free trade while selectively deviating from it, according to the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank.
    Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The nine runs scored in the dominant inning by the Blue Jays became the most runs scored by a team in any World Series inning in 57 years.
    Gabe Smallson, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Frankie first became a sports writer in 1991 at the Log Cabin Democrat in Conway and has served in the past as sports editor at the Siloam Springs Herald Leader and the Benton County Daily Record in Bentonville.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • During every storm, a sunspot had revolved into position near the apparent center of the solar surface, like the turret of a battleship lining up its target.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
  • According to Bankrate, nearly half of American households have credit card debt and pay more than 20% in interest, on average, on their revolving balances — making credit cards one of the most expensive ways to borrow money.
    Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Gavin Newsom is pondering a White House run.
    Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 26 Oct. 2025
  • Martinez notes that the mind-bending plot has given audiences a cinematic experience to truly ponder.
    William Earl, Variety, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The dress has an A-line silhouette with a skater skirt that falls around the knees (depending on your height, of course).
    Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Baker said the food bank serves 30,000 out of Yolo County’s 77,000 households — mostly families that depend for work on the agricultural industry, plus students and seniors.
    Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Still, markets will be closely watching the details of the ultimate agreement, after nearly a year of head-spinning changes to trade and tariff policies between the US and China.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025
  • The event will feature charrería performances featuring rope tricks by charro Christian Navarrete; a Mexican tin art workshop; spinning and weaving demonstrations; and hands-on activities and games for children.
    Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 26 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Turn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turn. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.

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