TURNS Synonyms: 343 Similar and Opposite Words

turns 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of turn

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

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Relevance

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

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as in deviates

to change one's course or direction we turned left at the light the storm unexpectedly turned south and missed our area

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as in becomes

to eventually have as a state or quality will turn 12 in six months

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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

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as in ponders

to give serious and careful thought to turned the question every which way but could find no answer

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as in depends

to be determined by, based on, or subject (to) what we do next turns on your answer to the following question

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as in spins

to be in a confused state as if from being twirled around all the new information made his head turn

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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

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turns

2 of 2

noun

plural of turn

as in walks

a relaxed journey on foot for exercise or pleasure would you care to take a turn around the garden?

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as in services

an act of kind assistance one good turn deserves another

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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

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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

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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

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as in acts

a performance regularly presented by an individual or group between the show's two major musical acts, there was a short turn by a juggling troupe

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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 turns

Verb

The study explains that calcium chloride turns lecithin into long, worm-like structures called micelles. — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2026 Uncover and continue to cook, stirring or swirling pot occasionally, until caramel turns a deep golden brown, 10–12 minutes. — Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Nov. 2026 Fernández needs to give them clearer answers when the game turns. — C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 1 Nov. 2026 Florida now turns its attention to November, beginning with a visit Saturday from Oklahoma. — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Oct. 2026 Making these questions routine turns innovation from an occasional exercise into part of how the operation runs. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026 Made with a yellow cake mix and a spiced filling, this dreamy recipe turns honey buns into a special occasion treat. — Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2026 The Quaker Oats brand, by way of the Quaker Mill Company, turns 150 years old in 2027. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026 There is a certain magic to a pot of homemade soup, the way a handful of simple ingredients turns into something warm and nourishing on a cool evening. — Danielle Bouchard, Martha Stewart, 24 Oct. 2026

Noun

Tarantino revealed the most personally meaningful piece of casting in a film filled with great performances — including supporting turns by multiple actors (Austin Butler, Mikey Madison, Sydney Sweeney) who have blown up in the seven years since. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 24 Oct. 2026 In Park Slope, for example, the whispers start even before the first leaf turns. — Anna Grace Lee, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026 Rather than relying on supernatural creatures or elaborate mythology, Fears to Fathom builds suspense around seemingly ordinary situations that take increasingly terrifying turns. — Denise Petski, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026 During acceleration, sudden braking, or sharp turns, unsecured belongings may slide across the floor, roll under seats, or shift around in the trunk. — New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2026 Roller coasters are designed to deliver thrills through sudden drops, sharp turns and rapid changes in speed, but what kinds of injuries can these forces cause? — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026 Strong acting turns by Austin Abrams and Josh Brolin help director Brian Duffield make a meal of a seemingly unfilmable novel about a sour young man swallowed by a whale. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026 Its pedal-sensing 250W motor gives a boost for hefty loads of up to 110 pounds, while the active rear-wheel steering helps the trailer stay in line with your bike on tight turns. — Eliza Thompson, Time, 15 Oct. 2026 Crews are adding a fourth eastbound lane, replace bridges and straighten out two right turns at Benton Boulevard and Jackson Avenue. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for turns

Verb

Glenn rotates pass rushers, and nine different Jets have a sack, as New York is tied for fifth with 17 sacks as a team.

— David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
The company’s latest hardware, called Helios, rotates the ions around a ring, selectively shifting the appropriate ones into one of two arms where measurements and operations of the ions’ quantum states can be performed using lasers.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of rotates

Verb

The Netflix series gently deviates from the source material at times, including swapping the book’s Lord Caterham for Lady Caterham, played by Helena Bonham Carter.

— K.J. Yossman, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
Her position deviates from her religion as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which publicly opposes the ballot measure.

— Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of deviates

Verb

Along with the tempo and play-making trio, West Virginia’s philosophy also revolves heavily around getting playmakers in space.

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Oct. 2026
Lialina’s practice as an artist and archivist revolves the uneven promises of permanence, loss, maintenance, and distribution that the internet, in its many formats and phases, represents.

— Shanti Escalante-De Mattei, ARTnews.com, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of revolves

Verb

As is often the case in both real life and the movies, this modern millennial lady ponders this very question all the time.

— Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 13 Sep. 2026
Nacua, who expects to play against the 49ers as the NFL ponders a potential suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, returned to practice last week.

— Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of ponders

Verb

Farmers face an even bigger threat at the start of the winter growing season because irrigation depends on electricity and there is no diesel in the area to run pumps.

— Hamza Fahmy, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2026
Baltimore’s outlook depends on Lamar Jackson, who is questionable.

— OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of depends

Verb

In a flowing, ice-blond wig, Ashford’s character spins an escalating series of imperial atrocities.

— Mariah Kreutter, New York Times, 22 Oct. 2026
The Roadster 2 reaches over 26 feet in the air through its cold-gas thrusters, spins once in mid-air, then uses the same tech to land safely.

— James Peckham, PC Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026