turn (on) 1 of 3

verb (1)

Definition of turn (on)next
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

turn-on

2 of 3

noun

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

turn on

3 of 3

verb (2)

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)
  1. attack
  2. lure
  3. thrill
  4. trigger
  5. assault
  6. temptation
  7. excite
  8. activate
Verb
  • In Iran, Afghans have been attacked by mobs and baselessly accused of collaborating with Israel; some legal residents have had police tear up their documents in front of them.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 31 Aug. 2026
  • On Saturday, an Ebola response team was attacked on the outskirts of the town of Mambasa in Ituri province while responding to a call to secure a body.
    — Constant Same Bagalwa, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of attack
Noun
  • The lure drew thousands of crews to Hengdian last year to shoot projects in and around the sprawling Hengdian World Studios.
    — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
  • The lure of both the flower that the fly feeds on, and the female fly herself, proves a powerful combination for the male.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of lure
Verb
  • The corner lot on which Pinky had sat for the past hundred years was now some of the most desirable real estate in Los Angeles, and its new owner, who had other plans for the land, was thrilled to sell the house for a dollar.
    — Nicola Twilley, New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Walmart has long resisted calls from shoppers to add tap to pay to its payment options – so shoppers on social media were thrilled to learn about the company's decision.
    — Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of thrill
Verb
  • Near-death experiences are frequently triggered by a life-threatening event, such as cardiac arrest, traumatic brain injury or a car accident.
    — Michael Collins, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
  • This triggered a realignment within the gaming industry, and put them at odds with Nevada regulators, too.
    — Marshall Cohen, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of trigger
Verb
  • Scott and Dylan walked away from faculty members and the video production crew and and Scott allegedly assaulted her in a janitor’s closet.
    — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The reality star and superyacht bosun’s statement comes after Rolling Stone reported last week that he was arrested in Australia last December for assaulting an unnamed 29-year-old woman at a Sydney-area apartment complex.
    — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of assault
Noun
  • But financial markets cannot operate on the assumption that temptation doesn't exist.
    — Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Others shared excitement for the duo’s success — and also shared concern for temptation, living so close to the addicting food.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of temptation
Verb
  • The promise excited Ralph Gonzalez and Christine Munoz, who own the city's first gastropub, Newhall Refinery.
    — Nicole Comstock, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Parton was excited and taken aback by the new version of her song.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of excite
Verb
  • Several other brands have activated during high-stakes competitions and inked their own collaborations that tap into the convergence of beauty and sports this year.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Ars Video When activated, Motion Assist adds small dots around the edges of your phone screen over top of the content.
    — Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of activate
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.

Browse Nearby Words

turnoffs
turn (on)
turn-on
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Cite this Entry

“Turn (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turn%20%28on%29. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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