turn 1 of 2

Definition of turnnext
1
as in to rotate
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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2
as in to swing
to change the course or direction of (something) the dog turned the stampeding flock of sheep around he turned his cart uphill

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3
as in to deviate
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
as in to become
to eventually have as a state or quality will turn 12 in six months

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5
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7
as in to depend
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 to spin
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 to persuade
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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turn

2 of 2

noun

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5
as in bout
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 act
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 turn
Verb
Unchecked urban expansion has pushed homes to the fringes of fire-prone woodlands, and the industrial forests planted by Chile’s timber industry have turned hillsides into tinderboxes. Stefano Pozzebon, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2026 At the New York City premiere on April 13, Hathaway embraced a futuristic, sculptural aesthetic on the red carpet, turning heads in a sheer gown that played with light and movement. Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2026
Noun
The turns are engineered to allow drivers to maintain 200 miles per hour without losing traction. Asher Redd, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026 Drivers could testify as to their ability to move around buses whose stops are in the driving lane, stalled cars and vehicles making left turns. Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for turn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turn
Verb
  • Rina and Serasi will rotate time with the adult tigers, and Suki will lead the way when the cubs head outside.
    Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Astrobotic on Thursday announced the successful hot fire testing of its Chakram rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE) at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center.
    Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The game swung on these knife-edge moments, but the actual performance levels were similar from both teams.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
  • But as the ball swung around the perimeter, opportunities arose for the likes of Dosunmu and McDaniels to crack the paint off the bounce.
    Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The superstars’ set list didn’t deviate too far from their previous shows on the trek, but there were some surprises during the encore.
    Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 26 Apr. 2026
  • As of January, 27 states and the District of Columbia now deviate from federal guidelines for some or all childhood vaccines, according to KFF Health News.
    Katy Golvala, Hartford Courant, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Players and coaches have become maddeningly mealy-mouthed, striving to avoid upsetting agents, sponsors, owners, fans, thin-skinned politicians, and whoever else might object.
    Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026
  • Far too often this season, the six-time All-Star who regards himself as the best shooting big man in NBA history has become an afterthought in a Knicks offense that’s run largely through Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Seksan Mongkhonkhamsao/Getty Images Things aren't particularly easy for borrowers right now, and that's especially true for those carrying a revolving balance month to month.
    Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Leonard Cohen had a house there, one of 100 in the world that revolved on a motor.
    Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Redditors also ponder an IKEA cookie relation.
    Alex Beggs, Bon Appetit Magazine, 25 Apr. 2026
  • First, there are the big-name athletes to find and woo into competing on the streets of the UK’s capital, then the pace-makers, the notable debutants, and the tantalising head-to-heads to create; there’s the hotel bookings, the visas, the flights, the prize money and even bonuses to ponder over.
    Liam Tharme, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The way coffee interacts with adenosine and cortisol is really complex, and can differ from person to person, depending on their biology, circumstances, and environment.
    Teresa Maalouf, Verywell Health, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Treatment frequency typically depends on your starting point and your specific biology.
    Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Similar to how spiders spin webs on Earth, such robots could effectively 3D-print structures in space.
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 25 Apr. 2026
  • My biggest complaint is that while the main narrative does wrap up tidily, the story also spins forward in a way that demands a sequel (which Spufford is already working on).
    John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Turn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turn. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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