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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

4
as in to become
to eventually have as a state or quality will turn 12 in six months

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

turn

2 of 2

noun

1
2
3
4
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turn
Verb
  • Stop in for handcrafted cocktails, beer, and wine in the company of live music and rotating art installations.
    Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Wilcke: While the quarterbacks rotated early and often, Loftis and Harrell looked to be in a 1A-1B role, while Wilcke worked with the second team.
    Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 20 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The former mayor of Salzburg gave the project the go-head in 2024, but now a governmental skirmish has begun after the mayoral office swung from the political right to the left after an election.
    Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The second player swings the ball across the top of the key to the second side.
    Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The main function of the yeast deviated from producing good beer to simply being able to survive for an extraordinarily long period of time without its primary food source: barley sugar.
    Gary Stoller, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Even Porziņģis missing time throughout the playoffs didn’t force the Celtics to deviate much from their plan.
    Jay King, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The big question is whether Whop can become the definitive infrastructure for the creator economy in the way Shopify has for e-commerce.
    Ethan Stone, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Not only are Van Dijk and Salah, who both signed two-year contract extensions this month, clearly good enough to continue competing at the highest level, but their off-field reach and influence are also becoming more valuable to the Liverpool brand.
    Gregg Evans, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Much of the value comes from learning how to avoid revolving credit card balances and leveraging better credit scores to secure preferential borrowing rates for key expenses, such as insurance, auto loans and home mortgages, according to Ranzetta.
    Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Director Kenny Leon’s new production, however, seems caught between reverence for the original source material and a seemingly half-hearted attempt to renovate the setting around which the classic action revolves.
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 24 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Once the news of her pending nuptials to ex-professional snowboarder Shaun White hit, inquiring minds were quick to ponder what her bridal beauty prep and wedding makeup looks might entail.
    Jessica Ourisman, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Exploring themes of empty consumerism, social isolation, and toxic masculinity before that phrase entered the cultural lexicon, American Psycho gives the audience a lot to ponder in addition to operating as an entertaining horror film.
    Johnny Loftus, EW.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Last but not least is Cassy—or Cassie, depending on the day—and her kittens.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Yes, that may sound like a hefty recurring expense, as, depending on the materials and size of the mattress, a good one can cost you thousands of dollars.
    Terry Baddoo, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Although deGrom gave up just one run over seven strong innings, Yamamoto spun seven scoreless innings at Globe Life Field.
    Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Less than two months later, the Warriors then spun Schröder to the Pistons in the multi-team trade that sent Jimmy Butler to the Bay Area.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 19 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Turn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turn. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on turn

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!