turn 1 of 2

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
6
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
Sarah Snook, who won a Tony Award for Best Performance By a Leading Actress in a Play for The Picture of Dorian Gray, is stumped about how it would ever be turned into a film. Dade Hayes, Deadline, 9 June 2025 This focus and appreciation for lifestyle gaming turned the DS from a simple console to a generation-defining device. Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 9 June 2025
Noun
This in turn derives from the root obstare, to stand across, as in the position of a midwife vis à vis her patient, and also evokes physical obstacle, something that must be surmounted, gotten around. Erica Stern june 9, Literary Hub, 9 June 2025 Things took a severe turn during her second season, not only with viewers at home, but among the cast. Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 9 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for turn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turn
Verb
  • For more formal occasions, she’s also rotated in white sneakers worn with tailored linen separates — a recurring combination that blends practicality with polish.
    Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 7 June 2025
  • The museum will also feature rotating contemporary exhibitions from Mexican, Latin American, and female artists.
    Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • During the argument, Goins swung the golf club at Jones, a witness told police.
    Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 June 2025
  • Reserve forward Obi Toppin helped swing the game, draining five 3s off the bench.
    Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • They are instructed not to deviate from the article content.
    TIME Staff, Time, 16 June 2025
  • The signature love, heartbreak, and reunions filled these last 8 episodes, leading to a shocking season finale revelation that deviated away from the book series.
    Reshma Gopaldas, IndieWire, 4 June 2025
Verb
  • Hopes for a new $600-per-child state income tax credit aimed at hundreds of thousands of households eventually became a flat $250 payment — and only to families making about $67,000 per year or less.
    Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 17 June 2025
  • But after a few months, purchases started to become larger and more frequent.
    Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 17 June 2025
Verb
  • In a sport that revolves so much around India, Australia and England, it’s been a breath of fresh air that South Africa made a barnstorming run to the final.
    Tristan Lavalette, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
  • Dermoid cysts are more likely to develop in younger women, and typically don’t revolve spontaneously.
    Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 4 June 2025
Verb
  • But something else to ponder: If the 2025 Club World Cup is a bit of a wash-out, will 2029 attract enough money to offer a similar prize pot?
    Chris Branch, New York Times, 19 June 2025
  • The time to ponder that question, set up boundaries, and guide how A.I. is assimilated into our workflow and lives was yesterday.
    Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 12 June 2025
Verb
  • The margin of Cuomo’s lead has depended on the poll, but he’s kept the lead by at least several points in public, independent polling of the race.
    Jared Gans, The Hill, 18 June 2025
  • How Often To Clean Silver This will depend on several factors, including how it is stored and what it is exposed to.
    Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • Versant, which will be lead by CEO Mark Lazarus when Comcast spins the company off later this year, has been building up a corporate structure — with several executives coming from NBCU’s news operations.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 18 June 2025
  • The iconic address’ upstairs is all about pitchers of local wheat ales and country DJs spinning Morgan Wallen hits, yet the basement steakhouse is where the sweet tunes from the sizzling stovetop can be heard.
    DeMarco Williams, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Turn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turn. Accessed 23 Jun. 2025.

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