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
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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
Cryptocurrency The cryptocurrency market continues to waver along with stocks as investors turn cautious on risky assets. Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2025 But what was supposed to be a fun family outing turned tragic the morning of March 16. Kayla Keegan, People.com, 18 Mar. 2025
Noun
While Tesla is still the best-selling electric vehicle brand in the US, competition is heating up, and Musk’s right-wing authoritarian turn appears to be doing real damage. Allison Morrow, CNN, 19 Mar. 2025 One of those learners might stumble upon their own improvement and pass it along in turn. Eli Elster, The Conversation, 19 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for turn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turn
Verb
  • If trade tensions ease and growth metrics strengthen, investors may rotate away from defensive assets such as gold and back into growth equities.
    Garth Friesen, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
  • The Zillion Direct’s slot panel is rectangular, and the plug is designed to fill the gap that’s created whenever a builder rotates the panel to enable a vertical graphics card orientation.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 15 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • There were joyful scenes on the ISS as Wilmore swung open the station's hatch and rang the ship's bell when the new arrivals came.
    Mark Davis, Newsweek, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Wilmore swung open the space station’s hatch and then rang the ship’s bell as the new arrivals floated in one by one and were greeted with hugs and handshakes.
    Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • To cover its tracks, the social media company allegedly deviated from usual practices and attempted to conceal the torrenting by using Amazon Web Services.
    Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Between the lines: The company hasn't deviated from its pledge to go net-zero by 2050, Coben says.
    Alan Neuhauser, Axios, 12 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Decisions take the form of checklists during avalanche safety course work, but eventually the questions you’re trained to ask become second nature.
    Ashley Thess, Outdoor Life, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Providers can apply to become members and must be licensed to practice in at least one member state.
    Jason Povio, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Nowadays, our conversations revolve more around sports and TV shows than our past jobs or adventures.
    Katharine Esty, Contributor, CNBC, 16 Mar. 2025
  • As the world marks yet another International Women’s Day on Saturday, the conversation revolves once more around progress made and hurdles yet to be overcome.
    Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Many Americans have taken to social media to ponder what a democratic country looks like without a federal agency at the helm of education.
    Kayla Jimenez, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Lim has obviously pondered this cosmic music at length.
    Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Therefore, while McIntyre is currently on a collision course with Priest, the landscape could shift dramatically depending on the results of WrestleMania.
    Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025
  • The ideal conditions for lawn establishment arrive at different times, depending on your location.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Lausanne, where pulsing house beats and spinning vinyl records defined an era.
    Roberta Naas, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Reductive as the outcome may be, the writer-director remains undeniably daring, spinning comedy from an inferiority complex and coming out on top.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 15 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Turn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turn. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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