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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5
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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
Justice Department officials, however, helped turn this particular dust-up into a confusing reminder of the circus that surrounded Carroll’s legal crusade against the president, which began in 2019. Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 31 May 2026 Simply wave your hand (or an object) in front of the sensor to turn it on or off. Terri Williams, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Noun
Swimming farther than normal may also lead them into open areas or unfamiliar habitats, which puts them at greater risk of predation in turn. Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026 General Daily Insight for May 30, 2026 Big ideas meet real-life twists and turns. Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 30 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for turn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turn
Verb
  • Like any other rotating 2-in-1, the Swift Spin has a 360-degree hinge that allows the laptop to rotate among clamshell mode, an A-frame mode, a screen-out/keyboard-down presentation mode, or tablet mode.
    John Burek, PC Magazine, 29 May 2026
  • Weekly prayer calls, rotating visits from family and friends, and a medical team at Mayo Clinic in Arizona that went above and beyond carried her through.
    Ayren Jackson-Cannady, SELF, 29 May 2026
Verb
  • Arraez was then picked off and the inning was over without Schmitt getting a chance to swing the bat.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
  • Given Waters’ stature as a congressional representative for 35 years, Ali said, her slate mailers can swing outcomes.
    Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
Verb
  • Did the driver deviate from their route?
    Toni Pisano, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
  • But so far, Raman, who has aligned herself with the DSA on issues such as renter protections but deviated on police spending, is struggling to unite the organization.
    National Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
Verb
  • The Thunder’s attempt at becoming the first NBA team to successfully defend their title for the first time since the Golden State Warriors did so in 2017 and 2018 came up short.
    CNN.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 31 May 2026
  • The throughline of his life is his on-again, off-again friendship with, but also his steadfast love for a neighbor girl of the upper class, who challenges him repeatedly to become his better self.
    The Know, Denver Post, 31 May 2026
Verb
  • It’s also given Peffer and Zack Tatar time to work on updating a new display for sponsor Broadway San Jose, which will replicate San Jose’s Center for the Performing Arts with a revolving stage that shows a musical theater performance on one side and backstage chaos on the other.
    Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 30 May 2026
  • Clarkson will be joined by fellow returning coach Adam Levine —making his return to the revolving red chairs as the reigning champion — and newcomer coaches Queen Latifah and country music singer Riley Green.
    Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 28 May 2026
Verb
  • But Saturday’s action left plenty to ponder in the meantime.
    Jeff Rosen, Kansas City Star, 30 May 2026
  • There’s much for the hierarchy to ponder after such a torrid campaign.
    James Pearce, New York Times, 28 May 2026
Verb
  • Democrats asked whether that includes federal court orders, and Mullin responded that depends on whether a higher court overturns a ruling.
    Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 4 June 2026
  • There are several family villas, although depending on their age, a cot can be brought to your room.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 June 2026
Verb
  • Silencing Highlanders hitters Carson junior Isabella Campos effectively spun her curve ball and kept Granada Hills off balance.
    Ethan Hanson, Daily News, 30 May 2026
  • Unlike storms in the Atlantic basin, most storms that form in the Pacific don't ever threaten land and often spin harmlessly out to sea.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 30 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Turn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turn. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.

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