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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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
Hong Kong authorities say the law was necessary to restore stability after the protests, which sometimes turned violent, and that Lai’s case has nothing to do with press freedom. Jennifer Jett, NBC news, 8 Feb. 2026 Messy is a polite way to describe the silos of vitriol that have turned hate into a national pastime. Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
Noun
That, in turn, has propelled the explosive growth of Nvidia’s stock (NVDA), which has surged 12-fold since the groundbreaking release of OpenAI’s ChatGPT AI chatbot in November 2022. Rosa De Acosta, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026 In turn, that’s what the Wolves are as a collective. Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for turn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turn
Verb
  • That event included a lineup of multiple DJs that rotated sets at their downtown location.
    Alexa Stone, Kansas City Star, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Crews worked in rotating 12-hour shifts to continue applying salt, brine and granular materials like sand.
    Julia James, Dallas Morning News, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Rocky peaks rise sharply from the valley floor, spanning elevations and pockets of habitat that can swing from sweltering to snowing in a single day.
    Joan Meiners, AZCentral.com, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Except Fresno State issued a coach’s challenge, claiming Green had swung his arm and hit his defender in the neck.
    Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Our minds are incredibly skilled at filling in the gaps in our memories with plausible but incorrect details; this leads people to affirm memories that deviate from reality, or even memories of events that never actually occurred.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
  • Like a suspiciously cheap sofa or a $20 bike helmet, shoes that deviate significantly from standard pricing raise eyebrows.
    Maggie Slepian, Outside, 26 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The data presented will be updated over time and will be expanded as additional statistics become available on other topics.
    David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Feb. 2026
  • Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot winners can decide on cash or annuity payment within 60 days after becoming entitled to the prize.
    Staff Reports, The Providence Journal, 8 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • There’s also a revolving cast of characters, like musical theater snob Sharpay (Ashley Tisdale), her pianist brother Ryan (Lucas Grabeel), and Troy’s puppy-dog-esque best friend Chad Danforth (Corbin Bleu), all with varying levels of excitement about Troy’s sudden interest in arpeggio scales.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 24 Jan. 2026
  • There’s no revolving bookshelf in place just yet.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 22 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • At least one likely outcome would’ve been apparent, but pondering that likelihood wasn’t Pretti’s responsibility.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2026
  • Its lessons are ones Republicans should ponder — and fast.
    Stephen Mihm, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Here’s how to claim your lottery prize For Indiana Lottery prizes, the claim process varies depending on the prize amount.
    Chris Sims, IndyStar, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Whether the Walmart location closest to you sells lottery tickets depends on your state and the store.
    Jennifer Sangalang, Florida Times-Union, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Then spin it around local San Francisco ingredients.
    Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 7 Feb. 2026
  • Insights into Alzheimer’s Interestingly, the molecular tricks spiders use to spin their webs are similar to the sophisticated signaling processes found in human neurotransmitter and hormone receptors.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 6 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Turn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turn. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.

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