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
  • Another warehouse belonging to the Russian e-commerce giant Wildberries was also attacked to the east of Moscow, Vorobyov said, with a fire breaking out at the facility.
    — David Brennan, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Crossing threat Undoubtedly, Coventry’s best attacking moments come from wide positions.
    — Liam Tharme, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of attack
Noun
  • Regardless, the lure of short-form cricket aggravates the Test situation.
    — Ahsan Iftikhar Nagi, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • City leaders think the lure of cheaper parking will allow people to discover what the city has to offer.
    — Amaia Gavica, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of lure
Verb
  • In speaking with folks who live here, they are thrilled the city is now getting involved but are hesitant to claim any kind of victory just yet.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Villa sources were thrilled for a teenager who had become a hugely popular figure around the club and seemingly now among supporters.
    — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of thrill
Verb
  • In 2024, Kim divorced her husband, Vladislav Bakalchuk, triggering a fight for control of the company.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The protests first began in April, triggered by the death of former Chinese Communist Party leader Hu Yaobang at the age of 73.
    — Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of trigger
Verb
  • Hanoi, Vietnam — Vietnam has charged a man with rape after an American student said she was assaulted while in her bed during a group holiday.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Pleitez would later tell police she was being confronted by Ahumada and others, who were assaulting her 20-year-old companion and attempting to drag him from the car.
    — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of assault
Noun
  • Crucially, fostering trust involves delivering candid feedback with care, avoiding the temptation to soften hard truths for peace.
    — Alfonso Cahero, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • For road trips, having favorite snacks and drinks on hand is key to avoiding temptation, Thomas says.
    — Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of temptation
Verb
  • Newcomer Bazoumana Toure has also excited with his pace and crossing ability, so may force his way in on the left.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Ask what excites them, share your vision, and choose one clear next step together.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of excite
Verb
  • Marrelli can activate off the blue line, create off the rush, has a good point shot and shows instincts to hit seams as well.
    — Corey Pronman, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The sirens were accidentally activated by DuPage Public Safety Communications.
    — Elyssa Kaufman, CBS News, 18 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
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of divulge

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All