turns 1 of 2

present tense third-person singular of turn
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

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Relevance
2
3
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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4
5
6
7
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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8
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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turns

2 of 2

noun

plural of turn
1
2
3
4
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

6
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
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 When the air turns crisp in fall and winter, the dryness indoors can sneak up on you — and so can flaky skin, a scratchy throat, and stuffy sinuses (not to mention allergens). Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025 Nonetheless, the two gradually achieve a sort of intimacy, one that after a time turns physical and romantic. Dennis Harvey, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025 For years, the Chinese government has been trying various tactics to try to boost the birthrate, including cash handouts of 3,600 yuan ($507) for each child until the child turns three. John Ruwitch, NPR, 30 Oct. 2025 Carbon dioxide turns directly from a solid into a gas in response to temperature changes much more easily than most elements — which means the comet has likely never been close to another star before its brush with the sun, Seligman said. Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025 Estonia also provides paid parental leave/benefit that can be used until a child turns three. Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
Noun
Their back-and-forth makes up the core of the film, as twists, turns and discoveries gradually unfold. William Earl, Variety, 25 Oct. 2025 As for the original cast, their lives and careers have taken some fascinating turns since the film’s release. Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025 His comedic turns were just as compelling. Joy Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025 Throughout this time, Barcelona old boys Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi have been doing regular turns for Inter Miami just up the coast in Fort Lauderdale. Oliver Kay, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025 Advertisement The investigation and its many turns The investigation was plagued by mistakes, leaks, and false leads. Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 22 Oct. 2025 Dueling water coaster The water coaster teased for Magic Mountain’s Hurricane Harbor water park would feature a side-by-side inner tube race through twisting drops and high-speed turns. Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 22 Oct. 2025 Nine of the turns at Coronado are in the neighborhood of 90 degrees, with two, tight 90-degree left-handers within a quarter-mile of the start-finish line. Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Oct. 2025 This is the ultimate immersive experience for a Broadway fan, as you’re immediately brought into the action of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, all timed perfectly with the thrilling drops, twists, and turns of an actual roller coaster. Zachary Laks, Travel + Leisure, 17 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turns
Verb
  • Her staff of 60 trainers rotates teaching between the studios.
    Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Nov. 2025
  • The stars and other heavenly bodies are all stationary, while the Earth rotates about its axis, with a rotational period of 360° every 24 hours.
    Big Think, Big Think, 30 Oct. 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
  • Protecting fanzines becomes an art — bin bags at the ready.
    Andy Mitten, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • When a favorite recipe becomes a family tradition, the dish and the love behind it live on for generations.
    Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 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
  • This depends on the need for humanitarian or emergency relief.
    Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
  • The definition of other pay depends on the type of employee and the source of those funds varies.
    William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Michelle spins a long and complicated tale, but insists Teddy was wrong about the Andromedans trying to infiltrate and poison humanity.
    Megan McCluskey, Time, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Shai Fargian, corporate executive chef at Calle Sol, spins that take into something more primal.
    Timothy DePeugh, Charlotte Observer, 30 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Turns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turns. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.

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