1
as in rotates
to move (something) in a curved or circular path on or as if on an axis
turned the doorknob as quietly as possible
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in swings
to change the course or direction of (something)
the dog turned the stampeding flock of sheep around he turned his cart uphill
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
4
5
as in revolves
to move in circles around an axis or center
the wheels turned, but the car was hopelessly stuck and wasn't moving
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in ponders
to give serious and careful thought to
turned the question every which way but could find no answer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
8
9
as in convinces
to cause to have often negative opinions formed without sufficient knowledge
he did his best to turn his new friends against his ex-wife
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in walks
a relaxed journey on foot for exercise or pleasure
would you care to take a turn around the garden?
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in services
an act of kind assistance
one good turn deserves another
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in tendencies
a habitual attraction to some activity or thing
an adventurous turn of mind that led him toward more physical activities like biking and skateboarding
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in bends
something that curves or is curved
right after this turn in the road you'll find the antiques shop on the right
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in bouts
a sudden experiencing of a physical or mental disorder
a sudden turn of dizziness that may have been brought on by a change in her medication
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of turns
Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 2 Apr. 2026
By the afternoon, most of North Texas turns quieter, with highs in the upper 70s to low 80s.
—Michael Autovino, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Responsible leadership turns teamwork into real strength.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
Curiosity turns into confidence, and confidence drives action.
—Michael Bush, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2026
And a joyous family reunion soon turns into a ghastly nightmare.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Apr. 2026
The company turns 50 on Wednesday.
—Aditya Soni, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
By the time the sun enters Taurus on April 19, your attention turns toward career momentum.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
His head turns completely on his shoulders.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 26 Mar. 2026
Clayton Davis, Variety, 31 Mar. 2026
Drivers should also be prepared for sudden changes in visibility, maintain extra distance between vehicles, and avoid sudden braking or acceleration—especially on hills or sharp turns.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
The hearing grew tense at several turns, with Barzee getting into spirited exchanges with lawmakers on the panel.
—ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026
The novel is by turns slapstick and sincere in its consideration of digital devices.
—Hannah Gold, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Pay special attention when making turns or driving through an intersection.
—Elissa Jorgensen, Dallas Morning News, 23 Mar. 2026
The integrated steering system puts serious maneuverability at the pilot's fingertips, and the Super Sub can dive and ascend at angles up to 45 degrees and make turns of up to 30 degrees.
—New Atlas, 21 Mar. 2026
On and on the wheel turns, in one order or another.
—Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 18 Mar. 2026
Check them out for some soft spring turns.
—Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 18 Mar. 2026
Verb
August 23 – September 22 Persistent focus turns small tasks into big wins.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 2 Apr. 2026
By the afternoon, most of North Texas turns quieter, with highs in the upper 70s to low 80s.
—Michael Autovino, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Responsible leadership turns teamwork into real strength.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
Curiosity turns into confidence, and confidence drives action.
—Michael Bush, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2026
And a joyous family reunion soon turns into a ghastly nightmare.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Apr. 2026
The company turns 50 on Wednesday.
—Aditya Soni, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
By the time the sun enters Taurus on April 19, your attention turns toward career momentum.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
His head turns completely on his shoulders.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 26 Mar. 2026
Noun
That, in itself, becomes the best and most heartfelt display of the couple thanks to leads Sarah Pidgeon and Paul Anthony Kelly’s committed turns.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 31 Mar. 2026
Drivers should also be prepared for sudden changes in visibility, maintain extra distance between vehicles, and avoid sudden braking or acceleration—especially on hills or sharp turns.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
The hearing grew tense at several turns, with Barzee getting into spirited exchanges with lawmakers on the panel.
—ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026
The novel is by turns slapstick and sincere in its consideration of digital devices.
—Hannah Gold, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Pay special attention when making turns or driving through an intersection.
—Elissa Jorgensen, Dallas Morning News, 23 Mar. 2026
The integrated steering system puts serious maneuverability at the pilot's fingertips, and the Super Sub can dive and ascend at angles up to 45 degrees and make turns of up to 30 degrees.
—New Atlas, 21 Mar. 2026
On and on the wheel turns, in one order or another.
—Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 18 Mar. 2026
Check them out for some soft spring turns.
—Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 18 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turns
Verb
-
The menu rotates about twice a season.—
Jenna Thompson
March 27,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Many expect the English forward to start as Liam Rosenior rotates his squad.—
Graham Ruthven,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The gardening season, after all, swings into full gear for all the tender plants after the last frost.—
Seth Jacobson,
The Providence Journal,
20 Mar. 2026
-
The West Side’s 16th District, which swings from Cicero, Lyons and Riverside up through Melrose Park, features a three-way race steeped in tangled histories.—
A.D. Quig,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But then the dream deviates, and takes me to the set of Gilligan’s Island, where Bob Denver, who originally played the part of Gilligan, has been replaced by a bearded intellectual who looks like Karl Marx combined with Cesar Romero, who played the Joker on the original Batman TV show.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Mar. 2026
-
The director's take deviates from Shelley's in its emphasis on forgiveness.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In the face of this uncertainty, companies and other organizations are preparing for a world in which the conflict — and subsequent jolt to crude prices — becomes a long-term challenge, affecting everything from travel planning to mail delivery.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Offer clear feedback to a collaborator in private, so mutual respect strengthens and the path forward becomes simpler for both of you.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The 28-year-old is loquacious and engaging, the ideal traits for someone around whom a team revolves.—
Maria Torres,
New York Times,
14 Mar. 2026
-
The song revolves slowly, casting loop against deepening loop, asking for the same careful quality of attention as William Basinski or Stars of the Lid.—
Sasha Geffen,
Pitchfork,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Who ever ponders the conveniences of that 20th-century innovation, the airplane, that makes 21st-century hustle possible?—
CBS News,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
That novel ponders the problem of a great artist, or someone we’re invited to believe is a great artist, tangled in the moral compromises of making art under the conditions of the Third Reich.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The survival of African biennials depends on strategic reinvention.—
Smooth Nzewi,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
-
That depends on how far the Hornets go this postseason and what president of basketball operations Jeff Peterson has as his vision for the team’s starting power forward moving, well, forward beyond the 2026-27 campaign.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Nelson’s 1975 album spins a yarn about a fugitive on the run after killing his wife and her lover.—
Josh Crutchmer,
Rolling Stone,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The value proposition increases for casino players in Pennsylvania and New Jersey (50 bonus spins in each state) who receive secondary perks on top of the sportsbook bonus.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Turns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turns. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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