as in milestones
a point in a chain of events at which an important change (as in one's fortunes) occurs
the turning point came when Victor finally admitted he was a werewolf
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Recent Examples of turning points
The podcast's premise, built around the mentors and turning points that shape people's lives, gives Begnaud room to go somewhere most celebrity interviews don't.
—
H. Alan Scott, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Its rise can be traced through a series of turning points beginning in the 1930s.
—J.c. Reid, Houston Chronicle, 28 Feb. 2026
However, the full moon in Leo on February 1 is pointing to turning points in your career or status this month, and the eclipse in Aquarius on February 17 strongly suggests that this new beginning will involve changes to your domestic life, living situation, and family.
—Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Jan. 2026
Economically and socially, conversations around value, resources, sustainability, and wealth distribution may reach turning points.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 29 Jan. 2026
Almost half of those turning points are driven by external shocks rather than internal execution failures.
—Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
The Eras Tour Brain scans of thousands of people revealed that the human brain has five distinct eras, with turning points in the way it is organized occurring at age nine, 32, 66 and 83.
—Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 18 Dec. 2025
There are turning points in just about every campaign like this and Ireland’s came in September with their humbling 2-1 defeat by 10-man Armenia, ranked 105th in the world, 45 places below them.
—Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 19 Nov. 2025
Those relationships, even small ones, can be turning points.
—Laura Rivera, Denver Post, 23 Oct. 2025
H. Alan Scott, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Its rise can be traced through a series of turning points beginning in the 1930s.
—J.c. Reid, Houston Chronicle, 28 Feb. 2026
However, the full moon in Leo on February 1 is pointing to turning points in your career or status this month, and the eclipse in Aquarius on February 17 strongly suggests that this new beginning will involve changes to your domestic life, living situation, and family.
—Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Jan. 2026
Economically and socially, conversations around value, resources, sustainability, and wealth distribution may reach turning points.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 29 Jan. 2026
Almost half of those turning points are driven by external shocks rather than internal execution failures.
—Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
The Eras Tour Brain scans of thousands of people revealed that the human brain has five distinct eras, with turning points in the way it is organized occurring at age nine, 32, 66 and 83.
—Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 18 Dec. 2025
There are turning points in just about every campaign like this and Ireland’s came in September with their humbling 2-1 defeat by 10-man Armenia, ranked 105th in the world, 45 places below them.
—Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 19 Nov. 2025
Those relationships, even small ones, can be turning points.
—Laura Rivera, Denver Post, 23 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turning points
Noun
-
Mission milestones The firsts began at launch.—
Robert Z. Pearlman,
Space.com,
7 Apr. 2026
-
As the children have gotten older, Harry and Meghan have shared glimpses of their own lives as parents, as well as their kids' milestones.—
GMA Team,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Anderson is here for the melodrama, the special lessons and the climaxes that fall flat.—
Jessica Lipsky,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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The band has never sounded this melodic before; Wroth in particular brings a constant dynamism to his guitar solos, often layering two and reaching climaxes that refuse to collapse into just a flurry of notes, building off Phantom Slaughter’s keyboard melodies with a real sense of drama.—
Sam Goldner,
Pitchfork,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Each year, Heal the Bay collects trash from beaches and watersheds across Los Angeles County with the help of thousands of volunteers.—
CBS LA Staff,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Without rain in the forecast for the next seven days, the extreme drought that has gripped the Interstate 35 corridor, including the Austin metro area, parts of the Texas Hill Country and much of the region's watersheds is likely to not only persist but also intensify.—
Roberto Villalpando,
Austin American Statesman,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Pilots learn to navigate using maps and compasses, as well as natural cues such as stars and terrain features including rivers, bridges and other landmarks to orient themselves and move toward friendly forces.—
Luis Martinez,
ABC News,
3 Apr. 2026
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The estate’s recognition alongside other national landmarks speaks to western North Carolina’s growing influence as a tourism destination — one that Charlotte-area travelers have long known about.—
Lauren Schuster,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
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With runners on the corners and two outs, Bichette lined a single to right, and Carson Benge scored easily.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
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In its final form, though, the change — 8 to 10 feet closer in the corners with the gaps tapering toward a still 410-foot centerfield — certainly doesn’t appear overwhelming.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Turning points.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turning%20points. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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