turn 1 of 6

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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Relevance
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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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 6

noun (1)

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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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turn (on)

3 of 6

verb (2)

turn (to)

4 of 6

verb (3)

as in to go (to)
to use or seek out as a source of aid, relief, or advantage no need to turn to violence when we can talk things out peacefully

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turn-on

5 of 6

noun (2)

turn on

6 of 6

verb (4)

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
Soon, people began showing up in copycat Pikachu costumes — like the one pictured at the top of this story — turning his gesture into an unexpected trend at the protests. Eda Uysen, Rolling Stone, 3 May 2025 Advocacy group the Union of Concerned Scientists on Friday said that shuttering the EPA's scientific arm that conducts independent research and folding it into policy offices will turn the EPA into a purely political agency. Valerie Volcovici, USA Today, 3 May 2025
Noun
The biggest need was assuring Golden feels capable of bringing his vision to life and, in turn, resuscitating this franchise’s championship hopes. Paul Dehner Jr., New York Times, 2 May 2025 An oversized unit will cool quickly, but the space will feel humid and warmer, which will prompt you to lower the temperature on your thermostat—and in turn, increase your energy bill. Lauren Thomann, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for turn

Cite this Entry

“Turn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turn. Accessed 10 May. 2025.

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