as in to attack
to take sudden, violent action against
it is dangerous to keep tigers as house pets, as they often turn on their masters without warning
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in lure
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 pair of teenagers she had just asked to help her move
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to thrill
to cause a pleasurable stimulation of the feelings
unsurprisingly, the fanboys were turned on by the movie's amazing special effects and slam-bang plot
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to trigger
to cause to function
would you turn on the TV?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turn (on)
Verb
-
Rather than attacking all rapidly growing cells, as chemotherapy does, the drug targets a key cancer-driving pathway known as KRAS, which is involved in more than 90% of pancreatic tumors.—
Luzdelia Caballero,
CBS News,
5 June 2026 -
Akindahunsi is accused of attacking several women the night of May 28.—
Summer Lin,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
In fact, one quite successful muskie artificial lure is fashioned of fur in the shape of a small muskrat, and has a black soft-plastic tail.—
Byron W. Dalrymple,
Outdoor Life,
4 June 2026
-
Out of college at the University of Nebraska, Hendy had worked a white-collar job with Union Pacific before following the lure of the automobile to Denver, where a boyhood friend who had bicycled off in search of fortune had wound up as one of the first automotive kings of the West.—
Eric Moskowitz,
The Atlantic,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
Qatar 2022 was an abomination in so many ways, a World Cup staged in a nation roughly the size of Connecticut, with an appalling human rights record, but the football was frequently thrilling.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
-
That resulted in a jeer from Knicks fans, who have not been thrilled with the officiating lately.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
In 1984, following Operation Blue Star, the assassination of India's prime minister by her Sikh bodyguard triggered horrific mob violence that killed thousands of Sikhs across the country, pushing many more to flee.—
Akash Pamarthy,
NPR,
6 June 2026
-
Stopping diabetes medications can trigger hyperglycemic crises like diabetic ketoacidosis which can require ER visits and sometimes hospitalization.—
Jesse Pines,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
Anyone who assaults law enforcement will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.—
Christina Fan,
CBS News,
7 June 2026
-
Okay, but 172 people did plead guilty to assaulting police officers.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
Speaking of temptation—after a third night stay, guests can stay a fourth night for free, depending on availability.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 June 2026
-
Use it as a tool, not a temptation.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
That's the stuff that fuels me, that's what keeps me up at night and excited for the next day.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
7 June 2026
-
Most of all, DePodesta and his crew take a deep dive into factors other than the statistics and hot streaks that excite fans.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams.—
Harriette Cole,
Mercury News,
8 June 2026
-
Even 15 minutes of disconnection allows the brain’s default mode network to activate, when memory consolidation and creative connections actually occur.—
William Jones
June 8,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 June 2026
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.
Cite this Entry
“Turn (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turn%20%28on%29. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
