turn 1 of 6

1
as in to rotate
to move (something) in a curved or circular path on or as if on an axis turned the doorknob as quietly as possible

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Relevance
2
as in to swing
to change the course or direction of (something) the dog turned the stampeding flock of sheep around he turned his cart uphill

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3
as in to deviate
to change one's course or direction we turned left at the light the storm unexpectedly turned south and missed our area

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4
as in to become
to eventually have as a state or quality will turn 12 in six months

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5
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7
as in to depend
to be determined by, based on, or subject (to) what we do next turns on your answer to the following question

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8
as in to spin
to be in a confused state as if from being twirled around all the new information made his head turn

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9
as in to persuade
to cause to have often negative opinions formed without sufficient knowledge he did his best to turn his new friends against his ex-wife

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turn

2 of 6

noun (1)

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as in bout
a sudden experiencing of a physical or mental disorder a sudden turn of dizziness that may have been brought on by a change in her medication

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6
as in act
a performance regularly presented by an individual or group between the show's two major musical acts, there was a short turn by a juggling troupe

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turn (on)

3 of 6

verb (2)

turn (to)

4 of 6

verb (3)

as in to go (to)
to use or seek out as a source of aid, relief, or advantage no need to turn to violence when we can talk things out peacefully

Synonyms & Similar Words

turn-on

5 of 6

noun (2)

turn on

6 of 6

verb (4)

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of turn
Verb
As of June 26, though, those core features require a 1,188 NOK (about $116.56) annual subscription fee, turning the smart home devices into dumb ones if users don't pay up. Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 28 July 2025 Brock just turned 7 and was going for his first camp experience. Janelle Griffith, People.com, 15 July 2025
Noun
Colombia) Set during Colombia’s 1992 energy crisis, following Ester and Leo, a couple whose road trip takes a tragic turn when Ester vanishes without explanation. John Hopewell, Variety, 15 July 2025 In turn, participants represent Purdue University as volunteers sharing their expertise and service in educational gardening activities within their communities. Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 14 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for turn

Cite this Entry

“Turn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turn. Accessed 31 Jul. 2025.

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