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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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Recent Examples of turns
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
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
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
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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