turn 1 of 6

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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Relevance
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 6

noun (1)

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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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turn (on)

3 of 6

verb (2)

turn (to)

4 of 6

verb (3)

as in to go (to)
to use or seek out as a source of aid, relief, or advantage no need to turn to violence when we can talk things out peacefully

Synonyms & Similar Words

turn-on

5 of 6

noun (2)

turn on

6 of 6

verb (4)

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
This is the power of art: taking a concept and exposing its contradictions, turning it into a complex phenomenon rather than a simple slogan. Rebecca Ruth Gould, JSTOR Daily, 9 Apr. 2025 Explore our case studies on the Publisher Insights Hub to see how others are turning views into real-world results, and read on to discover tips for tapping into the fandom yourself. Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Noun
The film was based on Stephen Schwartz's Tony-winning Broadway musical of the same name, which in turn was based on Gregory Maguire's novel. Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 9 Apr. 2025 The sanctification of Lee and other Confederate leaders, in turn, pushed the complexities of the surrender and of the Civil War era into the shadows, allowing the myth of Appomattox to flourish for more than a century. Made By History, Time, 9 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for turn

Cite this Entry

“Turn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turn. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.

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