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
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 4 June 2026
Your optimism helps others stay open, while your curiosity quickly finds the tweak that turns tension into teamwork.
—Pubsubhub User, Baltimore Sun, 4 June 2026
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's daughter turns 5 on Thursday.
—Shafiq Najib, ABC News, 4 June 2026
Howard played a detective investigating Foster, a New York City radio host who turns vigilante seeking revenge after her fiance is beaten to death.
—Kansas City Star, 4 June 2026
Denver Greek Fest turns 60 Friday-Sunday.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 4 June 2026
The restaurant brand, which has three spots found in Anaheim, Santa Ana and Orange, as well as roaming taco trucks and carts, turns 46 this year.
—Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 3 June 2026
The shortstop, who turns 22 next week, has been out with back discomfort since late February and has since been rehabbing at the Phillies’ complex in Clearwater, Fla.
—Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 3 June 2026
Every couple of years, the water turns murky, regardless, and the whole tank has to be drained and refilled, explains Polojärvi.
—Deena Theresa, Interesting Engineering, 28 May 2026
Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
That’s an amazing love story that took twists and turns but has a very happy ending.
—Peter Larsen, Daily News, 2 June 2026
To say that this year’s gubernatorial race has seen its share of twists and turns would be an understatement.
—Linh Tat, Oc Register, 2 June 2026
Gray, who hit a grand slam in Minnesota's 9-6 win on Monday, had a two-run single in a four-run fourth against Martin, who had allowed one or no runs in seven of his last eight turns.
—CBS News, 2 June 2026
The race, which has been filled with twists and turns, has drawn national attention.
—Chantelle Lee, Time, 1 June 2026
And Hinton — in his characteristically unhurried, occasionally hilarious way — gave answers that were by turns technically precise and cosmically vertiginous.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 June 2026
By the following year, the mechanic had sold his business, so my parents took turns walking me to school.
—Annie Ernaux, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
The suspension will feel stiffer, so steering will also be firmer, giving you greater control over your turns while driving faster.
—Molly Burford, Southern Living, 1 June 2026
Verb
Skau warned that as attention turns towards ameliorating the security crisis, resources should not be taken away from addressing the surging humanitarian needs, which include more than 5 million people who do not have enough to eat.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 4 June 2026
Your optimism helps others stay open, while your curiosity quickly finds the tweak that turns tension into teamwork.
—Pubsubhub User, Baltimore Sun, 4 June 2026
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's daughter turns 5 on Thursday.
—Shafiq Najib, ABC News, 4 June 2026
Howard played a detective investigating Foster, a New York City radio host who turns vigilante seeking revenge after her fiance is beaten to death.
—Kansas City Star, 4 June 2026
Denver Greek Fest turns 60 Friday-Sunday.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 4 June 2026
The restaurant brand, which has three spots found in Anaheim, Santa Ana and Orange, as well as roaming taco trucks and carts, turns 46 this year.
—Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 3 June 2026
The shortstop, who turns 22 next week, has been out with back discomfort since late February and has since been rehabbing at the Phillies’ complex in Clearwater, Fla.
—Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 3 June 2026
Every couple of years, the water turns murky, regardless, and the whole tank has to be drained and refilled, explains Polojärvi.
—Deena Theresa, Interesting Engineering, 28 May 2026
Noun
What’s next Next week brings Maine’s Senate primaries, following a Democratic race that has taken several twists and turns.
—Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
That’s an amazing love story that took twists and turns but has a very happy ending.
—Peter Larsen, Daily News, 2 June 2026
To say that this year’s gubernatorial race has seen its share of twists and turns would be an understatement.
—Linh Tat, Oc Register, 2 June 2026
Gray, who hit a grand slam in Minnesota's 9-6 win on Monday, had a two-run single in a four-run fourth against Martin, who had allowed one or no runs in seven of his last eight turns.
—CBS News, 2 June 2026
The race, which has been filled with twists and turns, has drawn national attention.
—Chantelle Lee, Time, 1 June 2026
And Hinton — in his characteristically unhurried, occasionally hilarious way — gave answers that were by turns technically precise and cosmically vertiginous.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 June 2026
By the following year, the mechanic had sold his business, so my parents took turns walking me to school.
—Annie Ernaux, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
The suspension will feel stiffer, so steering will also be firmer, giving you greater control over your turns while driving faster.
—Molly Burford, Southern Living, 1 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turns
Verb
-
Contrary to their sides of years past, this iteration of PSG are physically outstanding — and Luis Enrique rotates his players in the less-demanding and smaller (18 teams to the Premier League’s 20) Ligue 1 to ensure that.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
31 May 2026
-
Wang was elected to the City Council in November 2022 and eventually assumed the job of mayor, a position that rotates among the council members.—
Rebecca Ellis,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
The thought swings through her, like a burning stick through night air.—
Maggie O’Farrell,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
-
In one sequence, Atlas shifts its weight and swings its leg forward to guide a ball smoothly across the floor.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
The same fate likely awaits any presidential candidate who deviates from their line.—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
26 May 2026
-
Now, Hilton rarely deviates from her signature look, of which long, perfectly curled or waved blonde hair is a key element.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
La Locanda is the main hub for buffet and à la carte breakfast service (the buffet pastries are phenomenal here) and becomes a den for southern Italian dishes for later mealtimes.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 June 2026
-
If a fetus becomes infected, toxoplasmosis can lead to a range of health problems, including premature birth, low birth weight, jaundice or other liver problems, abnormal blood counts, rashes, eye disease, developmental delays, seizures, brain calcification, and in extreme cases, stillbirth.—
Dr. Megan Yanny,
Boston Herald,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
That happens simply because Earth revolves, but the planets also move across the sky, further complicating things.—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
15 May 2026
-
The moving drama revolves on a young boy, the film’s titular character, who escapes the bombing of his southern Iranian village in which his family is killed.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
As coach John Hynes ponders his Game 1 starter, the recent numbers will show that Wallstedt has allowed a total of four goals in his final two regular-season starts, while veteran Filip Gustavsson has been touched for 10 in the same span.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
15 Apr. 2026
-
While Heinrich ponders the misfiring neurons in the brain of a mass shooter, Jack’s pursuit of Mink—a character whose skin color and ambiguous ethnicity Jack remarks on repeatedly—leads him directly into the urban teeth of the War on Drugs.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Democrats asked whether that includes federal court orders, and Mullin responded that depends on whether a higher court overturns a ruling.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
-
All depends on voters approving a tax hike of around 4 cents on a $10 purchase to help finance passenger rail service.—
Bruce Finley,
Denver Post,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
As the crocodile spins, the prey experiences immense torsional and shear forces.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
-
The qubits work by trapping individual electrons in silicon structures, where the electrons’ spins store information.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Turns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turns. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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