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 Both Miguel and Sofia are at turning points, and the current distractions, maybe temptations, are not helping. — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2026 Both of the relationship crises reach what seem like turning points. — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026 Although geopolitical analysts love to talk about turning points, crossroads, and dilemmas, many governments have a prosaic tendency to defy these dramatic predictions and muddle through. — Ben Bland, semafor.com, 1 Sep. 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turning points
  1. milestones
  2. climaxes
  3. watersheds
  4. landmarks
  5. corners
Noun
  • From concept development to flight qualification The US company and its partners have already passed several development milestones since the program started.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Over the years, viewers watched the roommates go from nights at the club and boardwalk drama to pregnancies, babies, sobriety milestones, businesses, weddings and everything in between.
    — Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of milestones
Noun
  • As the drama with Salt Lake City climaxes, the rest of the Girls Trip women start to wonder if there’s more to the story than Lisa let on.
    — Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Ross doesn’t tend towards punch-the-air climaxes—just warm, excitable builds.
    — Shaad D’Souza, Pitchfork, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of climaxes
Noun
  • About 4 million acres in California are affected, including watersheds of the American, Rubicon and Yuba rivers.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Five watersheds remain in the drought warning response phase, meaning conservation measures must be in place.
    — Ubah Ali, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of watersheds
Noun
  • As one of city's most important landmarks, the Hotel Danieli—and the 204 stately guest rooms within—are a showcase of Venetian excellence.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Some of the village’s most iconic historical landmarks and homes will be in the tour, which is offered by the La Grange Area Historical Society.
    — Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of landmarks
Noun
  • Both tracks have plenty of blind corners, are lined with walls, and feature high-speed turns.
    — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Curb cuts — those graded concrete ramps at the edge of sidewalk corners that allow anyone and anything with wheels to glide gently onto the street below — aren’t really the sort of thing most people think about.
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 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 13 Sep. 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!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of shofar

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

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

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

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

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Popular

See More

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

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
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
funny guinea pig in glasses reading a book
Challenging Words You Should Know Vol 2 Words to the wise
See All