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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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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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

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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
Rocky Horror Picture Show at Mahalia Jackson Theater The cult-classic, wacky, horror musical Rocky Horror Picture Show turns 50 this year. Jenny Adams, Southern Living, 12 Oct. 2025 If Feel Good was comedy with a powerful dramatic arc, Wayward turns that formula on its head and is largely a drama with some lighter moments along the way. Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2025 The former president turns 83 next month. Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 11 Oct. 2025 The expectations for Realmuto, who turns 35 next March, will have to be lower. Matt Gelb, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025 But the film plays so coy with its backstory, offering it in dribs and drabs, that its initial emotional tension soon turns vaporous and phony. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025 The man who once sold cologne at Macy’s, worked fast food, and stripped in Florida nightclubs now plays a fugitive who turns a retail space into both his prison and his playground. Clayton Davis, Variety, 10 Oct. 2025 The first was a folding stem that turns the handlebars 90 degrees with a simple cam lever, like on many bike seat posts. Nia Bowers, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025 In the first scenario, FSD-enabled cars have run red lights or come to a stop and then continued before the light turns green. PC Magazine, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
Avoid sudden braking or acceleration, and be especially cautious on hills or when making turns. Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2025 The Ferrari Amalfi and McLaren GTS are, for all their gran turismo potential, meant to attack turns, not waft down highways. Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 10 Oct. 2025 While the show’s core narrative isn’t exactly groundbreaking, the exaggerated, intense and fast-paced emergencies, along with the engaging plot turns, will undoubtedly draw in audiences. Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 10 Oct. 2025 Avoid sudden braking or acceleration, and be especially cautious on hills or when making turns. Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025 Ferguson makes off with arguably the most emotional and centered of the film’s performances, turning her minimal before-work time, her quick commute, and her 18 minutes in hell into one of the most compelling turns of the year. Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 7 Oct. 2025 The way that the story moves along proved as exciting as the story itself, the twists and turns of behavior as thrilling as those of plot. Richard Brody, New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2025 Both are made with double spinner 360-degree wheels, which makes tackling turns and all kinds of surfaces—from pavement to tile—incredibly easy. Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 6 Oct. 2025 Its elevation crest is unlike most venues, and the road-course extensions feel a bit more choppy than the turns from the main oval. Shane Connuck october 3, Charlotte Observer, 3 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turns
Verb
  • Because the planet rotates very fast, these rising and sinking currents get twisted and stretched into horizontal flows, AKA jet streams.
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Ensure Leadership Continuity in the LAFD Film Unit Unlike LAPD and Recreation & Parks, where staff remain in place for years and build deep expertise and relationships, LAFD rotates the Film Unit captain every three years under union rules.
    Peter White, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Barner holds his arms parallel to the ground and swings them side to side while slowly stomping forward like Godzilla demolishing a city.
    Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
  • Because that pendulum swings the other way, too.
    Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 2 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
  • Week 6 DraftKings Value Stacks As the prices tighten, pivoting from chalk stack towards value becomes important.
    Gladys Louise Tyler, Forbes.com, 11 Oct. 2025
  • In times of mass atrocity, processing personal sorrow becomes more complicated.
    Reem Kassis, The Atlantic, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The Wizards’ argument revolves more around versatility.
    Josh Robbins, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Dress up for a twirl around the 17th-floor Pier Top lounge, which slowly revolves to showcase 360-degree views of Fort Lauderdale.
    Angela Caraway-Carlton, Miami Herald, 4 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
  • Whether those come or not, Dallas’ success likely depends on Prescott, Lamb, Pickens and the rest of the offense.
    Jon Machota, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • By comparing two types of borosilicate glass, one containing magnesium and one without, the team discovered that the diffusion of boron atoms depends strongly on the glass composition and the time it has been exposed to water.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Dust devils form when hot air near the surface rises and spins, picking up dust along the way, Bickel said.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Glitter Gel Pen Taylor spins like a girl in a brand new dress, while Fountain Pen Taylor yells at caterers.
    Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Turns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turns. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

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