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
Sarah Snook, who won a Tony Award for Best Performance By a Leading Actress in a Play for The Picture of Dorian Gray, is stumped about how it would ever be turned into a film. Dade Hayes, Deadline, 9 June 2025 This focus and appreciation for lifestyle gaming turned the DS from a simple console to a generation-defining device. Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 9 June 2025
Noun
This in turn derives from the root obstare, to stand across, as in the position of a midwife vis à vis her patient, and also evokes physical obstacle, something that must be surmounted, gotten around. Erica Stern june 9, Literary Hub, 9 June 2025 Things took a severe turn during her second season, not only with viewers at home, but among the cast. Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 9 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for turn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turn
Verb
  • For more formal occasions, she’s also rotated in white sneakers worn with tailored linen separates — a recurring combination that blends practicality with polish.
    Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 7 June 2025
  • The museum will also feature rotating contemporary exhibitions from Mexican, Latin American, and female artists.
    Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • Reserve forward Obi Toppin helped swing the game, draining five 3s off the bench.
    Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 6 June 2025
  • During the argument, Goins swung the golf club at Jones, a witness told police.
    Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • An example might be a SaaS company adding consulting or training services that enhance the core software experience without deviating too far from its expertise.
    Will Fan, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
  • The spending proposal lawmakers approved, negotiated among the Democratic House and Senate leaders and the governor’s office, deviates from Pritzker’s original plan in certain areas, including funding for elementary and secondary education.
    Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2025
Verb
  • Similarly, Musk’s political brand has become a liability.
    Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 6 June 2025
  • So Ait-Nouri has become one of Wolves’ most dangerous attacking threats and one of the most potent defenders in the Premier League in attacking areas.
    Steve Madeley, New York Times, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • The best way to pay off debt The best move for those struggling to pay down revolving credit card debt is to consolidate with a 0% balance transfer card, experts suggest.
    Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2025
  • The filing also details various financial agreements, including a revolving credit agreement entered on May 1, 2024, with a maturity date of May 1, 2029.
    Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Tyler Dragon ponders if Rodgers actually makes the Steelers better.
    Jim Reineking, USA Today, 7 June 2025
  • The cuts come as Warner Bros. Discovery is said to be pondering a possible spinoff of its declining cable TV assets, which include its Turner channels, Discovery Networks, HGTV and Food Network, similar to what Comcast is doing with its NBCUniversal cable outlets (with the exception of Bravo).
    Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2025
Verb
  • Now, her survival depends on trusting a sympathetic police officer (Teyana Taylor) and a soothing friend (Sherri Shepherd).
    Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 6 June 2025
  • The fishing industry depends on fall-run Chinook, which migrate upstream to spawn from July through December.
    Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • The break-up between Elon Musk and Donald Trump is the battle that everyone saw coming, spinning into a tweetstorm of insults, unwanted revelations and surprising outbursts.
    Chris Westfall, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
  • Traditional pulsars are spinning neutron stars that emit beams of radiation, and the new study suggests a black hole could briefly mimic this behavior while consuming a neutron star.
    Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 5 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Turn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turn. Accessed 15 Jun. 2025.

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