1
as in disgusting
to cause to feel disgust
that memorably bad meal turned me off about restaurant food for a while
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in deviating
to change one's course or direction
turn off at the third exit and follow the ramp to your left
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in removing
to let go from office, service, or employment
eventually, the supervisor turned off the insubordinate employee
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in shutting off
to cause to stop functioning
please turn off the fan when you're done
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of turning off
According to a report from the American Psychological Association, effective media guardrails that can improve your mental health include turning off all phone notifications, adding tech-free periods every day and limiting social media sessions to 15 minutes or less.
—
Hunter Boyce, AJC.com, 27 Jan. 2026
To reduce energy usage, customers should consider turning off unnecessary lights and appliances, adjusting thermostats to the lowest comfortable setting and wearing extra layers.
—Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 26 Jan. 2026
Fire officials also recommend always turning off cooking appliances when not in use, never leaving cooking food unattended, maintaining a clutter-free area around all heat sources and investing in stove knob covers to prevent accidental activation — especially in households with children or pets.
—Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026
Refrain from turning off a tenant’s water, electricity or gas.
—Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 20 Jan. 2026
Drivers are currently turning off the self-driving feature to send a text, then turn it back on, Musk claimed, adding that doing so is less safe.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
Part of that is price, which is turning off buyers.
—Kelly Evans, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2025
And the data collected by volunteers in DC has convinced some building managers to make changes, like turning off lights and putting treatments on some windows.
—NPR, 17 Oct. 2025
Napier’s squad almost definitely isn’t turning off the lights, but the importance of player leadership, which was also a focus of Jackson’s, has reverberated through Napier’s most recent conversations.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2025
Hunter Boyce, AJC.com, 27 Jan. 2026
To reduce energy usage, customers should consider turning off unnecessary lights and appliances, adjusting thermostats to the lowest comfortable setting and wearing extra layers.
—Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 26 Jan. 2026
Fire officials also recommend always turning off cooking appliances when not in use, never leaving cooking food unattended, maintaining a clutter-free area around all heat sources and investing in stove knob covers to prevent accidental activation — especially in households with children or pets.
—Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026
Refrain from turning off a tenant’s water, electricity or gas.
—Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 20 Jan. 2026
Drivers are currently turning off the self-driving feature to send a text, then turn it back on, Musk claimed, adding that doing so is less safe.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
Part of that is price, which is turning off buyers.
—Kelly Evans, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2025
And the data collected by volunteers in DC has convinced some building managers to make changes, like turning off lights and putting treatments on some windows.
—NPR, 17 Oct. 2025
Napier’s squad almost definitely isn’t turning off the lights, but the importance of player leadership, which was also a focus of Jackson’s, has reverberated through Napier’s most recent conversations.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turning off
Verb
-
Not deviating from those standards is equally important.—
Dan Duggan,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The resolution would authorize the state to redraw its congressional district maps in the middle of the 10-year cycle, deviating from the current practice of redistricting only after the federal census every 10 years.—
Center Square,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But what specific goals did this Administration have in removing Maduro and taking control?—
Scott Montgomery,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
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But the season ended with a blowout loss in Seattle last week, removing the dream scenario of the 49ers lifting the Lombardi Trophy on their home field.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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When the construction project starts next year, the road into the basin will be closed, shutting off access to the area.—
Liz Teitz,
San Antonio Express-News,
5 Jan. 2026
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The plan discussed in committee would also create parameters for providers shutting off water service to residents.—
Arpan Lobo,
Freep.com,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Of all the recent poster boys for appalling misbehavior by the State Police, Michael Proctor would of course rank number one.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
4 Jan. 2026
-
Truly appalling friend counsel here from Mindy.—
Jessica M. Goldstein,
Vulture,
19 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
All lighting on the Chief Vintage is LED, and the adaptive headlight can peek into corners while turning.—
William Roberson,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Google is rolling out major updates to Gemini in Chrome, turning the browser into an AI-powered assistant designed to help users multitask, browse faster, and complete complex online tasks with less effort.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Pursuit of Purdy The Seahawks’ front seven made life difficult for Purdy, chasing him across the field while sacking him twice.—
Andrew Destin,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Jan. 2026
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The Texans stifled the Steelers rushing attack and harassed Aaron Rodgers so extensively — sacking him four times, hitting him 12 times — that the future Hall of Fame quarterback scarcely had time to wait for plays to develop and repeatedly dumped the ball off for short gains.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Trump has warned against killing protesters and had repeatedly threatened to intervene if Tehran does not change course.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
28 Jan. 2026
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Many did not experience concentration camps but were forced to flee villages and towns as Nazi forces advanced, destroying homes and killing millions.—
Hannah Kliger,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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While there are dismemberments and other bits of gruesome violence to be found in the film, Badlands is largely aimed at endearing its audience rather than repulsing them.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Turning off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turning%20off. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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