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

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
Wellington forced 11 turnovers in the first half and turned those miscues into 15 points. Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Feb. 2026 Bird would just turn and shoot, preparing himself for some future moment in some future game. Keith O'Brien, Rolling Stone, 22 Feb. 2026
Noun
The more surprising turns came a few days ago. Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 28 Feb. 2026 How did such fun turn into such fury? Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for turn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turn
Verb
  • Against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Burnley, and Leeds United, Fernandez and Cole Palmer have shared responsibilities across the No 10 and left wing positions, rotating in-game to keep opponents guessing.
    Cerys Jones, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
  • Automatic litter boxes are designed with safety features to prevent them from rotating or closing while your cat is inside.
    Cody Godwin, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • As the exomoon orbits its host, its gravity swings the planet around their common center of gravity, called the barycenter.
    Phil Plait, Scientific American, 27 Feb. 2026
  • Bridgerton, with its consciously diverse vision of a Regency world, feels like a project conceived in a more inclusive moment; the pendulum has since swung the other way.
    Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Last month’s Salesman release deviated from the historic pair’s colorblocking ever so slightly with the midsole making greater use of red, but no such deviation is see on the sole of Awake’s (speckling excluded).
    Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 23 Feb. 2026
  • Had the case proceeded to trial, at least two independent physicians had agreed to testify that Heider’s care deviated from standard treatments, court records show.
    Amber Gaudet Updated February 20, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Eastern Libya has become a key launch point for smugglers, undercutting years of EU efforts to curb departures and making Crete a new pressure point.
    LEFTERIS PITARAKIS, Arkansas Online, 1 Mar. 2026
  • In the following years, Tehran also became a major player in regional conflicts, including Syria’s civil war, where IRGC forces were at the forefront of operations.
    Abbas Al Lawati, CNN Money, 1 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Tiger Finance has provided the plus-size retailer with a $15 million revolving credit facility, boosting the company’s liquidity after a controversial change in ownership last year.
    Evan Clark, Footwear News, 23 Feb. 2026
  • Homeowners who need a revolving line of credit Homeowners who can make on-time monthly interest payments during the draw period and on-time monthly payments during the repayment period.
    Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 21 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • All these are questions not unlike the one faced by the late Jerry Buss in 1981 when pondering the notion of hiring a kid who never had coached at any level.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
  • During the show’s 2023 Broadway run, SRO audiences were encouraged to dance in place and ponder despots at the same time — a greater disassotiative challenge than walking and chewing gum at the same time, but hardly an insurmountable one.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 21 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The kits’ contents largely depend on donations the program receives.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 26 Feb. 2026
  • The kits' contents largely depend on donations the program receives.
    ABC News, ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • My anxious imagination just spins constantly into possible futures.
    Stuart Miller, Oc Register, 28 Feb. 2026
  • The Chook on South Pearl Street looks discreet from the outside — a flat, black entry — though its interior is warm and open-air, and the rotisserie that spins in the back of the room makes the place smell heavenly.
    Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 27 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Turn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turn. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.

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