turn 1 of 6

Definition of turnnext
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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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

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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)

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verb (2)

turn (to)

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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

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turn-on

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noun (2)

turn on

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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
Nimmo, who turns 33 on the second day of the regular season, has more plate appearances in the leadoff spot than any other spot in the lineup for his career, but had moved lower in the New York Mets lineup the last two seasons with Francisco Lindor getting more time at the top. Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 15 Feb. 2026 Cora celebrated his 50th birthday in October, Xander and Isander will turn nine in July, and Camila graduated from Boston College last May. Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 15 Feb. 2026
Noun
Her only event is skeleton, in which athletes travel at about 80 mph down an icy mile-long track with 16 turns. Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026 Chalamet picked up a Critics Choice Award last month for his turn as a table tennis hotshot on a chaotic quest for greatness. Christi Carras, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for turn

Cite this Entry

“Turn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turn. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.

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