Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

turn (on)

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of turn (on)

to take sudden, violent action against
  • It is dangerous to keep wild animals as house pets, as they often turn on their masters without warning.
Synonyms of turn (on)

assail, assault, attack, beset, bushwhack, charge, descend (on or upon), go in (on), jump (on), pounce (on or upon), raid, rush, set on, storm, strike
Words Related to turn (on)

bum-rush, gang up (on), mob, swarm

mug, rob

ambush, surprise (also surprize), waylay

blitz, bomb, bombard, nuke

barrage, cannon, cannonade

bang away (at), batter, buffet, plaster

beleaguer, besiege, press

harry, loot, pillage, plunder, ravage, sack

foray, invade, overrun

envelop, flank
Phrases Synonymous with turn (on)

beat up on, fly at, go at, light into, pitch into, round on, set at, set upon, tear into
Near Antonyms of turn (on)

cover, defend, guard, protect, secure, shield

turn-on

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of turn-on

something that persuades one to perform an action for pleasure or gain
  • knew the offer of free pizza would be a major turn-on to the friends she had just asked to help her move
Synonyms of turn-on

allurement, bait, come-on, enticement, lure, siren song, temptation
Words Related to turn-on

appeal, call

attraction, encouragement, goad, impetus, impulse, incentive, inducement, motivation, persuasion, seducement, seduction, spur, stimulus

decoy, snare, trap
Near Antonyms of turn-on

alarm (also alarum), alert, caution, forewarning, notice, warning

turn on

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of turn on

1 to cause a pleasurable stimulation of the feelings of
  • Unsurprisingly, the fanboys were turned on by the movie's amazing special effects and slam-bang plot.
Synonyms of turn on

charge, electrify, excite, exhilarate, galvanize, intoxicate, pump up, thrill, titillate
Words Related to turn on

arouse, incite, inspire, provoke, stimulate

bewitch, captivate, charm, delight, enchant, enthrall (or enthral), hypnotize, mesmerize, rivet, spellbind

interest, intrigue, tantalize
Near Antonyms of turn on

bore, jade, pall, tire, weary

deject, demoralize, discourage, dishearten, dispirit
2 to cause to function
  • Would you turn on the TV?
Synonyms of turn on

activate, actuate, crank (up), drive, move, run, set off, spark, start, touch off, trigger
Words Related to turn on

kick over, turn over

charge, electrify, energize, fire, fuel, generate, power, push

discharge, launch, release, switch, trip

reactivate, recharge

arouse, excite, jump-start, kick-start, stimulate, vitalize

ignite, incite, instigate, provoke, quicken, stir up

accelerate, catalyze, speed (up), step up
Near Antonyms of turn on

arrest, brake, check, cut off, draw up, halt, jam, stall, stick, stop

decelerate, repress, slow, stunt, suppress
Antonyms of turn on

cut, cut out, deactivate, kill, shut off, turn off

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up turn (on)? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games