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
To extend the life of your unit, give your air conditioner regular breaks (either by turning it off or using a programmable thermostat). Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 May 2026 Launched in 1981, MTV helped usher in the era of the music video, turning artists into visual icons and reshaping how audiences consumed music. Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 10 May 2026
Noun
In an unusual turn, the World Health Organization’s director general posted a letter addressed directly to the people of Tenerife to his X account on Saturday morning. Gonzalo Zegarra, CNN Money, 9 May 2026 Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag are back in the spotlight almost two decades after rising to reality TV fame as their Hollywood journey has taken an unexpected turn into Los Angeles politics. Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for turn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turn
Verb
  • The Caramel Churro Sundae is the latest addition to Costco's lineup of sundaes, which have previously rotated to include fun flavors like the Double Chocolate Mint Sundae and Caramel Brownie Sundae.
    Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 8 May 2026
  • The 6-foot-6 guard will likely slot in as the two-guard for Boise State, with returning sophomore Aginaldo Neto and North Dakota State transfer Damari Wheeler-Thomas likely to rotate at point guard.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 8 May 2026
Verb
  • The Blue Jays swung at just 18% of Detmers’ pitches that were out of the zone.
    Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 9 May 2026
  • Extra servos in the shoulders let the arms swing widely, while the leg joints allow crouching and shifting positions.
    Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 8 May 2026
Verb
  • The CosmicFlows catalogue, organized by astronomers in France and Hawaii, is a record of measurements of the 'peculiar' motions of galaxies, or rather, their motions that deviate from that expected by the continuous expansion of space.
    Keith Cooper, Space.com, 4 May 2026
  • As part of its IDEM permit, BP is required to report any emissions that deviate from the standards in the Clean Air Act, according to the agency statement.
    Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The Black and Blue were attempting to become the first team since the 2001 Miami Fusion to earn 21 points in their first 12 games.
    Harold Gutmann, Mercury News, 10 May 2026
  • Strout indicates that their potential will be fulfilled in short, jump-ahead passages — one of the passages reveals that Artie inspires an awkward girl named Rhonda to help other people by becoming a minister.
    Chris Hewitt, Boston Herald, 10 May 2026
Verb
  • That structure can make budgeting easier and provide a clearer timeline for becoming debt-free compared to paying just the minimum on a revolving credit card balance, which can stretch the repayment process out for years or even decades.
    Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 4 May 2026
  • States can expand the role of green banks and revolving loan funds, using limited public dollars to unlock significantly larger pools of private investment.
    Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 4 May 2026
Verb
  • EBay’s board is now pondering GameStop’s offer.
    Shawn Tully, Fortune, 9 May 2026
  • The sequence left us pondering our pet cats and, for good measure, our worst selves.
    Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 8 May 2026
Verb
  • Some parts of the year were busier than others, depending on the flow of international students and seasonal workers in need of Social Security cards.
    E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 7 May 2026
  • To source that special blend, the state depends on in-state refineries or importing fuel refined to that standard from abroad.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 6 May 2026
Verb
  • Elsewhere, fibers are spun into thread, dyed, bleached, and rewoven into rugs, carpets and blankets.
    Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 9 May 2026
  • The 21-year-old left-hander rebounded from two sup-par starts to spin five shutout innings in high Single-A Fort Wayne’s 1-0 win over visiting Beloit.
    Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Turn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turn. Accessed 12 May. 2026.

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