TURNS ON Synonyms: 164 Similar and Opposite Words

turns (on) 1 of 2

verb (1)

present tense third-person singular of turn (on)

as in attacks

to take sudden, violent action against it is dangerous to keep tigers as house pets, as they often turn on their masters without warning

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turns on

2 of 2

verb (2)

present tense third-person singular of turn on

as in thrills

to cause a pleasurable stimulation of the feelings unsurprisingly, the fanboys were turned on by the movie's amazing special effects and slam-bang plot

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in triggers

to cause to function would you turn on the TV?

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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 (on)

Verb

Before every important test, teacher Nancy Barajas dims the lights, turns on a disco ball and blasts music from her playlist. —

ABC News, 13 May 2026 Before every important test, teacher Nancy Barajas dims the lights, turns on a disco ball and blasts music from her playlist. —

CBS News, 13 May 2026 The new northbound camera also could capture unlawful right turns on red by drivers who fail to stop or who turn in a manner the city describes as not careful and prudent. —

Theo Karantsalis, Miami Herald, 7 May 2026 Other recommendations from the report include allocating more funds for speed lumps and the quick-build program, as well as hiring staff to coordinate a citywide Safe Routes to School program, and exploring a citywide ban on right turns on red lights. —

Sacbee.com, 29 Apr. 2026 Dramedy turns on Bella and Elliot, their families and the everyday chaos that comes with living with ADHD and autism. —

Annika Pham, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026 Manually lift the float switch to ensure the motor turns on. —

Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 16 Apr. 2026 What happens then, when the Ohio data center turns on its nighttime lights? —

Arik Levinson, Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2026 The issue turns on the extent of what's known as the citizenship clause in the 14th Amendment. —

Frank Vaisvilas, jsonline.com, 1 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for turns (on)

Verb

Hantavirus is a rare but deadly disease that attacks the lungs and is typically contracted by humans through inhalation of particles contaminated with the urine, feces or saliva of a wild rodent.

— Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
Sebastian Gorka, the senior director for counterterrorism at the National Security Council, said an immediate example would be for other countries to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran attacks commercial shipping.

— Bart Jansen, USA Today, 6 May 2026