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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of turns
Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
Pine straw turns brown fairly quickly.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2025
LeBron, who is entering his 23rd season, turns 41 in December.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Oct. 2025
Buy a regular-length midi dress that turns into the perfect maxi length on my shorter frame.
—Jamie Allison Sanders, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025
Taylor’s celebrated Cartier jewels have long symbolized her high-profile romances, but Swift turns the comparison around, asking whether all that glitter can ever replace trust and real connection.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 4 Oct. 2025
Amusingly, the elderly nun’s vow of silence permits her only a chiding glance whenever unfiltered María Ángeles’ conversation turns salty.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2025
Rock Springs turns a corner But now, the town is digging up this part of its migrant history and finding new ways to shed light on a dark moment in its past.
—Jenna McMurtry, NPR, 28 Sep. 2025
Special teams turns into a pumpkin Following three weeks of fantastic play by special teams coordinator Tracy Smith’s unit, the group fell off the steepest of cliffs in New England.
—Mike Kaye
september 28, Charlotte Observer, 28 Sep. 2025
Shane Connuck
october 3, Charlotte Observer, 3 Oct. 2025
Murphy tries to wring everything out of this showcase, in both his solo turns and his exchanges with Tracey Ullman’s fellow supervisor and Emily Watson’s in-house therapist.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2025
The bag is designed with a crack- and scratch-resistant shell, softside carrying handles, stylish leather accents, and wheels that effortlessly take on turns.
—Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 1 Oct. 2025
Derek urged Jen to work on her turns, especially in the Cha Cha, but said that her performance quality is coming along.
—Brianne Tracy, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
And the turns by this talented ensemble cast don't disappoint.
—Devonne Goode, Parents, 1 Oct. 2025
Steve Howey and Christopher Rich took their turns last season.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025
Over the course of four episodes, director Margaret Brown simultaneously unwound all the twists and turns of the 34-year-old cold case while also focusing primarily on the lasting trauma felt by the surviving family members who have tried to make peace with such an unimaginable loss.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 26 Sep. 2025
Vehicles with a total length of more than 22 feet are not allowed on Cape Royal Road because of tight turns, limited parking and narrow roadway conditions.
—Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
Penn State’s season turns into a nightmare This is an unfathomable result for the Nittany Lions, who just eight days ago were considered national championship contenders.
—Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
Pine straw turns brown fairly quickly.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2025
LeBron, who is entering his 23rd season, turns 41 in December.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Oct. 2025
Buy a regular-length midi dress that turns into the perfect maxi length on my shorter frame.
—Jamie Allison Sanders, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025
Taylor’s celebrated Cartier jewels have long symbolized her high-profile romances, but Swift turns the comparison around, asking whether all that glitter can ever replace trust and real connection.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 4 Oct. 2025
Amusingly, the elderly nun’s vow of silence permits her only a chiding glance whenever unfiltered María Ángeles’ conversation turns salty.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2025
Rock Springs turns a corner But now, the town is digging up this part of its migrant history and finding new ways to shed light on a dark moment in its past.
—Jenna McMurtry, NPR, 28 Sep. 2025
Special teams turns into a pumpkin Following three weeks of fantastic play by special teams coordinator Tracy Smith’s unit, the group fell off the steepest of cliffs in New England.
—Mike Kaye
september 28, Charlotte Observer, 28 Sep. 2025
Noun
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
Murphy tries to wring everything out of this showcase, in both his solo turns and his exchanges with Tracey Ullman’s fellow supervisor and Emily Watson’s in-house therapist.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2025
The bag is designed with a crack- and scratch-resistant shell, softside carrying handles, stylish leather accents, and wheels that effortlessly take on turns.
—Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 1 Oct. 2025
Derek urged Jen to work on her turns, especially in the Cha Cha, but said that her performance quality is coming along.
—Brianne Tracy, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
And the turns by this talented ensemble cast don't disappoint.
—Devonne Goode, Parents, 1 Oct. 2025
Steve Howey and Christopher Rich took their turns last season.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025
Over the course of four episodes, director Margaret Brown simultaneously unwound all the twists and turns of the 34-year-old cold case while also focusing primarily on the lasting trauma felt by the surviving family members who have tried to make peace with such an unimaginable loss.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 26 Sep. 2025
Vehicles with a total length of more than 22 feet are not allowed on Cape Royal Road because of tight turns, limited parking and narrow roadway conditions.
—Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turns
Verb
-
The likelihood that Berube rotates Domi and Maccelli still exists.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Their menu rotates frequently to highlight seasonal flavors, but some dishes have become staples.—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Because that pendulum swings the other way, too.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Libra season swings you back and forth, packing your schedule.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
22 Sep. 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
-
Drone watch in Western Europe Munich becomes the latest European airport to close after sightings of drones nearby.—
Laura Sharman,
CNN Money,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Opening Smashing Machine in 3,345 locations is a far more aggressive move, although sources say A24 remains confident that the film will find its stride as word of mouth grows and becomes more positive.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
Cipher is the linchpin of this story, the question mark around which this season revolves.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Song broke out with her 2023 drama Past Lives, which follows a woman from Seoul, South Korea, who ponders her relationship with a childhood friend in the decades after her family immigrates to Canada and marries an American man in New York City.—
Tommy McArdle,
PEOPLE,
19 Sep. 2025
-
The research team carefully ponders numerous different inputs for each type of complexity.—
Nathan Goldman,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Achieving cost parity with China for batteries requires production at scale, and that scale depends on strong, sustained demand for EVs, the largest battery consumer.—
Rebecca A. Fannin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
-
And the media dollars and sponsorship money that power the growth of the sport depends on those fans.—
Emma Hinchliffe,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The vortex is a gigantic, circular area of cold air high up in the atmosphere that typically spins over the North Pole (as its name suggests).—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
-
When Charlotte spins the words 'Some Pig,' [kids reading the book] may not know where that came from.—
DeVonne Goode,
Parents,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Turns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turns. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share