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

Relevance

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
  • The recent success of a late-stage mRNA cancer vaccine, showing the drug stopped the return of melanoma, has boosted hopes that the approach can be successfully harnessed to attack other cancers.
    — Allison DeAngelis, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026
  • In Ohio, Husted has been repeatedly attacked for his role in attracting data centers to Ohio as lieutenant governor.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of attack
Noun
  • Staring at them has a mesmeric lure, like falling into the uncanny valley.
    — E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Everybody knows already, one hopes, not to trust the lure of quick cash, especially as it is depicted on TV.
    — Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of lure
Verb
  • There’s also the Chill and Thrill Islands, aptly named for their focuses on chilling and thrilling passengers, respectively.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Her goal is not to say that this is the best option for everyone, but just to make people who might not be thrilled about implants for whatever reason know that an AFC after a double mastectomy is an option.
    — Kara McGrath, Allure, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of thrill
Verb
  • In the device studied by the scientists, applying a voltage triggered a localized transition from an insulator to a conductor.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Gross domestic product grew over three months ending in June, defying fear of a downturn triggered by the Iran war.
    — Max Zahn, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of trigger
Verb
  • The woman, who was the only person found in the vehicle, had been assaulted by the shooting suspect, sheriff’s officials said, and the two men left the vehicle.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026
  • No one in Cathy’s family seems to know she was assaulted, but for us, that information contextualizes her now-twisted understanding of her own looks and sexuality.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of assault
Noun
  • And resist the temptation to divert urgent discussions toward thorny disputes.
    — Geoffrey Irving, Time, 3 Oct. 2026
  • With tours filling and accommodation being booked, the temptation is to chase the longest possible totality.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of temptation
Verb
  • The space invited us into the world of Gucci, excited us with product on the rails, and reminded everyone of the magic a store can bring to the shopping experience.
    — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The two are excited by the location and by the prospect of being in the heart of a bustling district.
    — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of excite
Verb
  • Choose from heat mode or cool mode depending on the season, and then activate night mode for the quietest settings and a dimmer display.
    — Cierra Cowan, PC Magazine, 6 Oct. 2026
  • In order to promote its use, new ShipStation customers who choose to activate Ship with Walmart will be given a 20 percent discount on their annual subscription.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 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 8 Oct. 2026.

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