Synonyms of turning (on)

turning (on) 1 of 2

verb (1)

present participle of turn (on)

as in attacking

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

• attacking
• assaulting
• raiding
• descending (on or upon)
• going in (on)
• jumping (on)
• setting on
• flying at
• setting at
• storming
• going at
• pouncing (on or upon)
• setting upon
• striking
• tearing into
• pitching into
• beating up on
• rounding on
• robbing
• charging
• ambushing
• lighting into
• rushing
• ganging up (on)
• invading
• assailing
• swarming
• besetting
• bushwhacking
• siccing
• trashing
• banging away (at)
• surprising
• mobbing
• flanking
• sacking
• bombing
• besieging
• ambuscading
• waylaying
• mugging
• blitzing
• bombarding
• plundering
• battering
• nuking
• ravaging
• cannonading
• looting
• buffeting
• barraging
• bum-rushing
• plastering
• pillaging
• enveloping
• cannoning
• harrying
• beleaguering
• pressing
• overrunning
• foraying

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• covering
• protecting
• securing
• defending
• guarding
• shielding

turning on

2 of 2

verb (2)

present participle of turn on

1

as in thrilling

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

• thrilling
• exciting
• electrifying
• pumping up
• intoxicating
• delighting
• galvanizing
• intriguing
• inspiring
• titillating
• exhilarating
• enchanting
• charging
• provoking
• arousing
• stimulating
• riveting
• inciting
• interesting
• charming
• captivating
• mesmerizing
• bewitching
• tantalizing
• spellbinding
• hypnotizing
• enthralling

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• boring
• tiring
• wearying
• palling
• discouraging
• jading
• disheartening
• demoralizing
• dispiriting
• dejecting

2

as in triggering

to cause to function

would you turn on the TV?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• triggering
• activating
• sparking
• driving
• setting off
• touching off
• cranking (up)
• moving
• powering
• generating
• starting
• fueling
• actuating
• turning over
• igniting
• running
• provoking
• pushing
• charging
• kicking over
• firing
• stirring up
• stepping up
• electrifying
• launching
• speeding (up)
• switching
• releasing
• energizing
• stimulating
• discharging
• exciting
• tripping
• recharging
• reactivating
• accelerating
• arousing
• inciting
• vitalizing
• quickening
• instigating
• catalyzing
• jump-starting
• kick-starting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cutting out
• shutting off
• turning off
• cutting
• killing
• cutting off
• drawing up
• checking
• stopping
• sticking
• braking
• arresting
• halting
• stalling
• jamming
• deactivating
• slowing
• suppressing
• repressing
• decelerating
• stunting

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of turning (on)

Verb

In 2024, a Colorado family’s home security camera captured another dog accidentally turning on a stovetop after jumping up to investigate boxes left on the range. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 14 July 2026

Neighbors rescue two dogs from burning home Fire officials said Bo was the dog seen on video inadvertently turning on the toaster. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 14 July 2026

Letting the temperature rise slightly during the day means the system isn't turning on and off rapidly all afternoon. — Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 30 June 2026

Sokolowski also recommends wearing rubber or nitrile gloves to prevent skin irritation, and opening windows or turning on a kitchen exhaust fan before, during, and for a bit after cleaning. — Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 17 June 2026

Her stomach was already turning on her. — Literary Hub, 3 June 2026

Prioritize visibility Enhance your visibility in heavy rain by turning on your headlights. — Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 27 May 2026

The moose charged the woman and kicked her several times before turning on the dogs. — Christa Swanson, CBS News, 27 May 2026

But the first of those hits was Andujar turning on a splitter and sending it into the seats beyond left field in the first inning. — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 May 2026