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

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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
Bertman, who turns 88 on May 23, has on his resume before this latest honor, prime spots in the College Baseball Hall of Fame, Louisiana State University Hall of Fame, state of Louisiana Hall of Fame, University of Miami Hall of Fame and Miami Beach High School Hall of Fame. George Solomon, Miami Herald, 19 Apr. 2026 Career coaches often tell college students to start looking for jobs months before turning the tassel. Jake Angelo, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2026
Noun
Devin Carter had to bide his time and wait his turn during his first two seasons with the Sacramento Kings. Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 11 Apr. 2026 That judgment can, in turn, open the door to stronger collection tools. Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for turn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turn
Verb
  • Still, why doesn't the Moon seem to rotate like Earth?
    Ray Petelin, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026
  • Seasonal farmer’s market specials rotate weekly, highlighting fresh produce and bright flavors that keep the menu feeling new even for repeat visitors.
    USA TODAY NETWORK, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The public discussion still swings between utopian promise and apocalyptic dread.
    Barry R. Davis, Boston Herald, 17 Apr. 2026
  • Denver swung on Alabama’s Que Robinson as a developmental prospect in the fourth round last year on sheer upside, and Capehart could be a similar interior fit in this class.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • There’s no reason to believe the Hawks will deviate from a plan yielding success in Game 1.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 20 Apr. 2026
  • That's because fridge doors are more likely to deviate from ideal refrigerator temperatures than the interior of the fridge.
    Bridget Shirvell, Martha Stewart, 19 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • From a distance, the scenes seemed like classical interpretations of the Stations, but on closer inspection things became a little stranger.
    Douglas Stuart, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2026
  • Shane Lowry, who made a hole-in-one on the par-3 sixth hole to become the first player to have a pair of aces in the Masters, had a 69 and was two shots behind.
    Doug Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The 750-foot tower offers panoramic city views from the observation deck, plus a revolving restaurant inside.
    Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Apr. 2026
  • But for her own set, Raye is the sun around which everything else revolves.
    Jem Aswad, Variety, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The medical drama's season 2 finale ended on a cliffhanger Thursday, April 16, with Wyle's character pondering a three-month sabbatical and a motorcycle ride across the country.
    Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
  • The philosopher Biggie Smalls once pondered the nature of dangerously escalating rivalries.
    Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Hours later at the White House, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was less rosy, predicting that gas prices will fall sometime this summer, depending on how the negotiations with Iran go.
    ABC News, ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
  • The amount varies, depending on the state or local government that issues the certificates.
    Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The plot that spins from this opening includes a series of events involving philosophy, parenting, mental health, disability, romance and international art terrorism that would take several columns worth to summarize.
    John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2026
  • Invitees will be welcomed with Martell’s French 75 while a DJ spins the hottest beats before Davido himself arrives on Sunday, April 12.
    Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Turn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turn. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.

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