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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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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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

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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 year, don’t be surprised if collectors looking for a hidden gem turn their focus to outsider art. Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 29 Jan. 2025 In the playoffs, though, Mahomes turned into Superman. Nate Taylor, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
For several years, Kaegi has drawn attention to how those successful appeals make homeowners’ tax burden — and in turn, their bills — go up. A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 29 Jan. 2025 This could in turn hit demand for ASML’s high-precision extreme ultraviolet (EUV) machines, which are used to print the most advanced microchips. Ryan Browne, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for turn 

Thesaurus Entries Near turn

Cite this Entry

“Turn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turn. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.

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