1
as in rotating
to move (something) in a curved or circular path on or as if on an axis
turned the doorknob as quietly as possible
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in swinging
to change the course or direction of (something)
the dog turned the stampeding flock of sheep around he turned his cart uphill
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in deviating
to change one's course or direction
we turned left at the light the storm unexpectedly turned south and missed our area
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in becoming
to eventually have as a state or quality
will turn 12 in six months
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in revolving
to move in circles around an axis or center
the wheels turned, but the car was hopelessly stuck and wasn't moving
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in contemplating
to give serious and careful thought to
turned the question every which way but could find no answer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
8
9
as in persuading
to cause to have often negative opinions formed without sufficient knowledge
he did his best to turn his new friends against his ex-wife
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in turned
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of turning
Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2025
New opportunities But as China's domestic economy slogs through a transition away from real estate, its companies are turning overseas.
—Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2025
In reuniting with Washington for a fifth time—and for the first time since 2006’s Inside Man—Lee is casting one of his defining creative partners as a similarly venerated figure who is at risk of turning stale.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 19 Aug. 2025
Bake in preheated oven until golden and crisp, about 20 minutes, stirring and turning croutons every 5 minutes.
—Mary Claire Britton, Southern Living, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for turning
Adjective
Instead of turning the actual evils into metaphors.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2025
New opportunities But as China's domestic economy slogs through a transition away from real estate, its companies are turning overseas.
—Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2025
In reuniting with Washington for a fifth time—and for the first time since 2006’s Inside Man—Lee is casting one of his defining creative partners as a similarly venerated figure who is at risk of turning stale.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 19 Aug. 2025
Bake in preheated oven until golden and crisp, about 20 minutes, stirring and turning croutons every 5 minutes.
—Mary Claire Britton, Southern Living, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for turning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turning
Verb
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Instead, the integration of HRC US has resulted in some staff rotating through F1 programs in Europe and Japan.—
Sam Abuelsamid,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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The undulating building features exhibition spaces, a library, a museum, and concert venues where a rotating program of art exhibitions, performances, conferences, and workshops showcase Azeri history and contemporary culture, both local and international.—
Mae Hamilton,
AFAR Media,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Her memory of that day never flagged, every detail remaining crystal clear, her story never deviating.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This is becoming the best gimmick in wrestling.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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But sadness, anxiety, anger and frustration can be channeled into actions such as becoming involved in activism and volunteering to help the survivors and society at large.—
Arash Javanbakht,
The Conversation,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Another, also built from white disks on a bending wire, evokes a mechanized Japanese cherry tree, its circles—perched high on a narrow stem—not revolving so much as brushing quickly past one another.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
15 Sep. 2025
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Experts say many car shoppers could benefit from paying down revolving debt and improving their credit scores, which could pave the way to even better loan terms in the future.—
Jessica Dickler,
CNBC,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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When the San Francisco 49ers were contemplating drafting Mac Jones in 2021, the then-Alabama quarterback might have daydreamed about running an offense that included George Kittle, Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel.—
Matt Barrows,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
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While vocal over the years about his aversion to sell, take on a business partner or publicly list the company, rumors about Armani contemplating forming a foundation first emerged in 2012.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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There are multiple ways to use the Hair Steamer, depending on your hair and preferences.—
Megan McIntyre,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
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The timing and intensity of peak foliage vary from year to year, depending on several factors, such as drought conditions, rainfall, temperature, soil content, and the types of trees, as well as cloud cover.—
Kyle Reiman,
ABC News,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Scott appeared to have done his job, spinning a full-count slider below the strike zone that Lee chased.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
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Ledford is a songwriter to watch, spinning urgent, gripping tales of life’s ups and downs in the midst of a wildly colorful and psychedelic musical universe.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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For many owners, the nightly ritual of persuading a pet to leave the bed is an ongoing negotiation—one that frequently ends with the animal winning.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
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The network seemed to have trouble persuading actual stars to perform.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Turning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turning. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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