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
Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 10 Nov. 2025
And in the fall, when the air turns crisp and the fields turn orange, this unassuming little town reminds visitors that sometimes, the most unique places grow from the simplest seeds (pun intended).
—Karthika Gupta, Travel + Leisure, 9 Nov. 2025
Before dropping, foliage turns orange, red, burgundy, and purple.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 8 Nov. 2025
And turns and pushes [the ship].
—Gerrad Hall, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Nov. 2025
Is there a universe in which Jennifer Lawrence grows up and turns into Charlize Theron?
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2025
Cultural storytelling builds awareness; engagement sustains relevance, and strategic digital integration turns influence into sales.
—Li Jun, Footwear News, 2 Nov. 2025
Season 28 has delivered a fresh lineup of coaches, resulting in more thrilling chair turns, buzzer battles, and some powerhouse performances along the way, according to NBC Insider.
—Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025
Some evergreens, like arborvitae, yew, hemlock, and boxwood, are also more susceptible to drying winds and sunscald, which turns their needles brown and dry during the winter.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Nov. 2025
Dave Smith, Fortune, 8 Nov. 2025
The couple and another teen riding with the girl snapped into action and reached over to grab onto her for the duration of the ride, each bracing hard against the car as the ride zoomed at highway speeds through its hills, drops and turns.
—Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 7 Nov. 2025
That one lets riders race side-by-side through 873 feet of turns, rises and drops.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Through nine weeks, Boutte, Diggs, Hollins, Douglas, running back Rhamondre Stevenson and tight end Hunter Henry have all had turns leading the team in receiving yards.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 5 Nov. 2025
There were factory tours and late-night parties and, by day, endless turns at Flachau and Zauchensee, just above town.
—Kimberly Beekman, Outside, 4 Nov. 2025
The Mountain West race took two unexpected turns Saturday.
—Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
In his first interview about the case, Diebel recalled that the investigation was one of the most extensive of his nearly 50 years in law enforcement — one filled with unexpected turns and dead ends that led detectives far from the doctor’s sprawling mansion northeast of Tampa.
—Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 31 Oct. 2025
Her legs, still angled from the previous turns, couldn't find purchase to push forward or pull backward.
—Mark Gray, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 10 Nov. 2025
And in the fall, when the air turns crisp and the fields turn orange, this unassuming little town reminds visitors that sometimes, the most unique places grow from the simplest seeds (pun intended).
—Karthika Gupta, Travel + Leisure, 9 Nov. 2025
Before dropping, foliage turns orange, red, burgundy, and purple.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 8 Nov. 2025
And turns and pushes [the ship].
—Gerrad Hall, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Nov. 2025
Is there a universe in which Jennifer Lawrence grows up and turns into Charlize Theron?
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2025
Cultural storytelling builds awareness; engagement sustains relevance, and strategic digital integration turns influence into sales.
—Li Jun, Footwear News, 2 Nov. 2025
Season 28 has delivered a fresh lineup of coaches, resulting in more thrilling chair turns, buzzer battles, and some powerhouse performances along the way, according to NBC Insider.
—Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025
Some evergreens, like arborvitae, yew, hemlock, and boxwood, are also more susceptible to drying winds and sunscald, which turns their needles brown and dry during the winter.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Nov. 2025
Noun
The twists and turns since have exacerbated uncertainty for the nearly 1 in 8 Americans who receive monthly SNAP benefits to spend at grocery stores and farmer’s markets.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 8 Nov. 2025
The couple and another teen riding with the girl snapped into action and reached over to grab onto her for the duration of the ride, each bracing hard against the car as the ride zoomed at highway speeds through its hills, drops and turns.
—Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 7 Nov. 2025
That one lets riders race side-by-side through 873 feet of turns, rises and drops.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Through nine weeks, Boutte, Diggs, Hollins, Douglas, running back Rhamondre Stevenson and tight end Hunter Henry have all had turns leading the team in receiving yards.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 5 Nov. 2025
There were factory tours and late-night parties and, by day, endless turns at Flachau and Zauchensee, just above town.
—Kimberly Beekman, Outside, 4 Nov. 2025
The Mountain West race took two unexpected turns Saturday.
—Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
In his first interview about the case, Diebel recalled that the investigation was one of the most extensive of his nearly 50 years in law enforcement — one filled with unexpected turns and dead ends that led detectives far from the doctor’s sprawling mansion northeast of Tampa.
—Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 31 Oct. 2025
Her legs, still angled from the previous turns, couldn't find purchase to push forward or pull backward.
—Mark Gray, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turns
Verb
-
On the power play, Geekie rotates between the strong-side flank and the off-side elbow.—
Fluto Shinzawa,
New York Times,
11 Nov. 2025
-
However, don’t be surprised if Miami rotates cornerback in this game.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Young feels within range for Eagles general manager Howie Roseman, who always swings for the fences.—
Matthew Schmidt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Oct. 2025
-
But the tone swings between sour and sweet, grounded and silly, and the jokes run more broadly wacky than precise or original.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Even in states whose policy deviates from the CDC, each pharmacy can set its own boundaries on who can be vaccinated, and individual pharmacists may fear liability for vaccinating pregnant customers, Groves said.—
Yasmin Tayag,
The Atlantic,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The Uncut Gems star's ensemble deviates from his signature style, which typically includes oversize T-shirts, hoodies and shorts, as well as stylish sneakers.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
If the sky becomes threatening and thunder can be heard, find a safe place to shelter.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Nov. 2025
-
The biopic stars Ben Foster as the trainer who becomes her abusive husband.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
This annual event occurs when the Earth revolves into a stream of material left by Halley’s Comet.—
Dean Regas,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
17 Oct. 2025
-
The Wizards’ argument revolves more around versatility.—
Josh Robbins,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Wyn Baptiste An acclaimed photographer of street protests ponders the effectiveness of his work, even as his images provoke palpable international reactions.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Still, no one is ever confirmed as being in the tomb, and Debbie even ponders whether or not Danny is really dead.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The color of the light depends on the type of gas and the amount of energy released.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
This is a kind of tribal affiliation that depends on an adversary.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
For example, a key scene where Amélie’s nanny Nishio creates and spins two tops, as a metaphor for their powerful soulmate connection, came from a memory a color artist offered.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Washing machines are designed with balance in mind so the drum spins correctly during the wash and rinse cycles, cleaning and partially drying the contents.—
Timothy Dale,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Turns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turns. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.
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