turn 1 of 2

verb

ˈtərn How to pronounce turn (audio)
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to revolve
to move in circles around an axis or center the wheels turned, but the car was hopelessly stuck and wasn't moving

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6
as in to ponder
to give serious and careful thought to turned the question every which way but could find no answer

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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

1
as in walk
a relaxed journey on foot for exercise or pleasure would you care to take a turn around the garden?

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2
as in kindness
an act of kind assistance one good turn deserves another

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3
as in tendency
a habitual attraction to some activity or thing an adventurous turn of mind that led him toward more physical activities like biking and skateboarding

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4
as in bend
something that curves or is curved right after this turn in the road you'll find the antiques shop on the right

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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
Earlier this year, tech journalism site 404 Media reported on internal documents that showed Bus Patrol allegedly working on a plan to turn its thousands of cameras into an Automatic License Plate Reader network for law enforcement. — Tory Wegerski, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026 Music producer Nigel Frieda has owned its 380 acres for about twenty years, turning it into a retreat, hospitality spot, recording studio, and event venue. — Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Noun
Three Fall Must-Dos Cruise one of the most underrated fall drives in the US—the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway, encompassing winding Needles Highway in Custer State Park and Iron Mountain Road, famous for its 300-plus hairpin turns. — Taryn Shorr-McKee, Midwest Living, 26 Aug. 2026 Curry, who died Tuesday at 80, made a gleefully evil turn as a clown that sparked nightmares for legions of Gen X and millennial viewers that continue to haunt to this day. — Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for turn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turn
  1. rotate
  2. swing
  3. deviate
  4. become
  5. revolve
  6. ponder
  7. depend
  8. spin
Verb
  • Behind him sits one of the youngest jurors, attending the trial with lip studs and a rotating assortment of rock band T-shirts.
    — Andy Rose, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Both Leonard and head coach Klint Kubiak have expressed that the plan is to rotate players around, but honestly, this defense is tailor-made for Maxx Crosby to have an outstanding year.
    — Gladys Louise Tyler, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of rotate
Verb
  • Prices of the precious commodity have swung dramatically from one season to the next, particularly as issues such as climate change, water scarcity and pest and disease pressures persist.
    — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The club opted against a lengthy pre-season trip to North America, Oceania, or East Asia, preferring a smaller-scale tour in which the squad swung back to the Carrington training ground after playing across a host of European cities.
    — Carl Anka, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of swing
Verb
  • The artisans stay true to the original colors and designs of the park — never deviating in 70 years.
    — Carole Horst, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The 30-month research program known as Operation Blue Skies includes test periods this winter and next, when air traffic controllers will tell some flights to deviate up to 2,000 feet (610 meters) to avoid areas where contrails are likely to form.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of deviate
Verb
  • The Sun conjoins Mercury in Virgo and your 4th House of Home, Family, and Emotional Roots, helping private needs become easier to name.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026
  • But when shovels become too expensive, the miners start forging their own.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of become
Verb
  • And some events are fine to skip altogether, especially ones that revolve almost entirely around drinking.
    — Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Even in the face of all that pressure, the shows — which debuted the tour’s four revolving setlists — were wildly successful, with tributes to Peart helping one of rock’s most cerebral bands hit new heights of emotional impact.
    — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of revolve
Verb
  • While Tavares coach Gavin Jones ponders how to replace 18 transfer players heading into the season, just down Route 441, new Eustis coach Tanner Harris is pumping some energy into a program that has had four coaches in three years.
    — Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Though not outright as conceptual as its predecessors, La Nueva Violencia leaves room to ponder celebrity overexposure and the mind-warping effects of the content age.
    — Richard Villegas, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of ponder
Verb
  • Fry the chicken for approximately 3-4 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until golden brown and cooked through.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • But some experts say there is more nuance to the lifestyle than previously thought, and even positives, depending on how people look at it.
    — Amen Galinato, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of depend
Verb
  • Perry noted that unlike other spinning coasters, whose rotation may depend on weight distribution within the vehicle, these coaster cars are programmed to spin at specific times along the track, in sync with the on-board audio.
    — Eve Chen, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Before and after each screening, Cinespia’s signature DJs will spin sets while guests can enjoy the beer and wine bars as well as concession stands scattered throughout the cemetery grounds.
    — Beatrice Verhoeven, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of spin

Phrases Containing turn

Browse Nearby Words

turmoils
turn
turnabout
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Cite this Entry

“Turn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turn. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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