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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in triggering
to cause to function
would you turn on the TV?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of turning (on)
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
Taylor caught a ball on a slant route and showed his burst of speed, turning on the afterburners to race to the end zone.
—Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 May 2026
Kirkwood Southern Style Crispy Fried Chicken Perhaps you, like me, avoid turning on the oven at all costs as soon as the temperature outside hits 85 degrees.
—Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2026
Chavez and his aides repeatedly claimed that their critics are Communist or grower sympathizers who infiltrated the UFW before turning on it.
—Marcos Breton, Sacbee.com, 24 Mar. 2026
His comments caused a stir Wednesday from pro-Israel advocates who felt Newsom was turning on their interests.
—Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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
Taylor caught a ball on a slant route and showed his burst of speed, turning on the afterburners to race to the end zone.
—Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 May 2026
Kirkwood Southern Style Crispy Fried Chicken Perhaps you, like me, avoid turning on the oven at all costs as soon as the temperature outside hits 85 degrees.
—Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2026
Chavez and his aides repeatedly claimed that their critics are Communist or grower sympathizers who infiltrated the UFW before turning on it.
—Marcos Breton, Sacbee.com, 24 Mar. 2026
His comments caused a stir Wednesday from pro-Israel advocates who felt Newsom was turning on their interests.
—Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turning (on)
Verb
-
Just attacking everything with strikes.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
11 June 2026
-
Police in the northwest Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights have released a sketch of a man accused of attacking and choking a woman this past weekend.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
But outside of a thrilling two-legged 2022 World Cup qualification tie against Nigeria, there have been few standout moments from the past five years.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
-
The cars are too big to race well, but the competition for pole position is thrilling.—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
The 2026 Social Security Trustees Report moved the program’s day of reckoning squarely into the next presidential term, projecting that the retirement trust fund will be depleted in 2032 — triggering an automatic 22% cut to every retirement and survivor benefit.—
Teresa Ghilarducci,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
-
Iran’s hold over the critical Middle Eastern passageway has discouraged activity in the area, triggering a sweeping blockage of oil tankers and a global energy emergency.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
At least one other Portland ICE building protester has been sentenced to prison, but not for assaulting a federal officer.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 June 2026
-
One person was charged with assaulting a police officer.—
Jesse Zanger,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Major Wilson, 17, has been around horses most of his life and now spends much of his time helping younger riders get ready, showing them how to saddle their horses without exciting them.—
Jhair Romero,
Houston Chronicle,
26 Feb. 2026
-
For Harrington and her husband Dante, the thought of triplets was shocking but exciting all the same.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
By activating its regional proxy, the Houthis in Yemen, Iran could orchestrate the closure of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, blocking another vital artery connecting major trade routes between Europe, Asia and the Arab world.—
CNN Staff,
CNN Money,
29 May 2026
-
That means activating our downtown with farmers markets, cultural events, outdoor gatherings, and community programming that gives residents a reason to be there.—
Mercury News Editorial Board,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
The former tomb-raiding Angelina Jolie also happens to be a Gemini, which Wilton Regan says is compatible with her own air sign.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 June 2026
-
Even rural birds manage to find some human items, most likely by raiding farm bins or garages.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
The Rockies scored five runs in the ninth on a three-run home run by Hunter Goodman and a walk-off, two-run homer by Ezequiel Tovar to shock the Giants in an electrifying 8-6 win at Coors Field.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
30 May 2026
-
Club officials envisioned a trade for Ohtani as transformative, elevating their team to a legitimate World Series contender, electrifying their dormant market.—
Ken Rosenthal,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Turning (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turning%20%28on%29. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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