turning points

noun

plural of turning point
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 turning points The big picture involves market cycle dynamics, with turning points and tipping points. — Hersh Shefrin, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 There have been turning points throughout Hollywood history when an old order collapsed and was replaced by something cooler and more provocative. — Brent Lang, Variety, 15 July 2026 During this time, our ideas serve as catalysts while conversations become turning points. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026 And which team has marked turning points in their learning curve in European finals? — Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 21 May 2026 This is a strong example of how compact street design and high walker and biking activity can concentrate crash risk, especially at intersections and turning points. — Gretchen Wittenmyer-Stone, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2026 But Georgia’s history is littered with moments that felt like turning points and ended in Republican triumph. — Eric Mandel, AJC.com, 13 Apr. 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turning points
  1. milestones
  2. climaxes
  3. watersheds
  4. landmarks
  5. corners
Noun
  • Cities and towns construct and design and the Connecticut Department of Transportation will oversee milestones and provide guidance to the municipalities receiving the grants.
    — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Create space to reflect, measure progress, celebrate milestones and adjust course.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of milestones
Noun
  • Each concert climaxes with Pinkerton’s sword fight against the Rat Reaperess, leading to the singer’s inevitable defeat.
    — Steve Appleford, SPIN, 29 June 2026
  • Chases and weird extraterrestrial stuff abounds, leading to one of Spielberg's most gripping climaxes ever.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 13 June 2026
Definition of climaxes
Noun
  • Just two hours from Boston, the small town of Meredith, New Hampshire, sits at the intersection of Lake Winnipesaukee, Lake Waukewan, and their surrounding watersheds.
    — Annie Sherman, Travel + Leisure, 19 July 2026
  • While 25 million people rely on watersheds influenced by IRAs, dependency varies by state.
    — Simmone Shah, Time, 15 July 2026
Definition of watersheds
Noun
  • Community leaders say the situation represents the frustrating piecemeal approach taken over the years to preserve one of the city’s most important cultural landmarks.
    — Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026
  • The mural features historical events and landmarks ranging from the USS Midway, San Diego-Coronado Bridge and Belmont Park to local missions.
    — Linda Mcintosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 July 2026
Definition of landmarks
Noun
  • The Panthers practiced without their starting corners most of the first week of camp.
    — Joseph Person, New York Times, 30 July 2026
  • Slightly overdraw the cupid’s bow and the center of your bottom lip — but leave the corners alone.
    — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 29 July 2026
Definition of corners

Browse Nearby Words

turning point
turning points
turning tail
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Turning points.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turning%20points. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All