turn 1 of 2

verb

ˈtərn How to pronounce turn (audio)
Definition of turnnext
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to revolve
to move in circles around an axis or center the wheels turned, but the car was hopelessly stuck and wasn't moving

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6
as in to ponder
to give serious and careful thought to turned the question every which way but could find no answer

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

1
as in walk
a relaxed journey on foot for exercise or pleasure would you care to take a turn around the garden?

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2
as in kindness
an act of kind assistance one good turn deserves another

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in tendency
a habitual attraction to some activity or thing an adventurous turn of mind that led him toward more physical activities like biking and skateboarding

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4
as in bend
something that curves or is curved right after this turn in the road you'll find the antiques shop on the right

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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
Soon Lane had his first ten titles and could set the presses turning. — Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026 On the day of the murders, Sierra had joined the family on a shopping outing to Mall of the Americas to purchase a birthday gift for Daniela, who was days shy of turning 4. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2026
Noun
The company also recorded a loss in the previous quarter ending in June, meaning the latest earnings report marked a turn into profitability. — ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026 When the Jeep didn’t move, the Honda driver drove around it to make the turn. — Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for turn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turn
  1. rotate
  2. swing
  3. deviate
  4. become
  5. revolve
  6. ponder
  7. depend
  8. spin
Verb
  • For about five days, the murres rotate between the drying pens — which blow warm air on the birds — and 80-degree pools of water inside the clinic.
    — Stephanie Zappelli, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Glenn rotates pass rushers, and nine different Jets have a sack, as New York is tied for fifth with 17 sacks as a team.
    — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of rotate
Verb
  • The outcome in California's 13th District could hinge on whether Lincoln can attract moderate and swing voters beyond the Republican base.
    — Darrielle Fair, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Fans at Capital One Arena swung white towels ecstatically after Justin Champagnie converted a shot — also drawing a foul — to give the Wizards a seven-point lead with just over eight minutes left.
    — Jake Kauderer, Washington Post, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of swing
Verb
  • But in Central Asia, far from the empire’s center, local artists sometimes used the mosaics to deviate from the official agenda.
    — Yulia Denisyuk, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Oct. 2026
  • But over time, due to a variety of systems issues with obtaining certain medications, the lethal injection protocol has deviated from the standard devised by Chapman.
    — M. Sara Rosenthal, STAT, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of deviate
Verb
  • At 16% and 7% respectively, they have been kneecapped by their association with the political mainstream that has become so unpopular.
    — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Netanyahu’s decision to bring two Jewish supremacists into government became emblematic of Israel’s rightward turn—and one of the factors in its growing international isolation.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of become
Verb
  • This part of the invoice financing process functions similarly to a revolving line of credit.
    — Andrew Coon, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026
  • For veterinary practice owners who want flexible access to working capital for ongoing expenses, unexpected costs or growth opportunities, Bluevine offers a revolving business line of credit of up to $250,000.
    — Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of revolve
Verb
  • No one interested in pondering what looks like an intractably difficult conflict need turn their attention to Iran or Israel.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Newsom, in the podcast, appeared to already be considering them while pondering what to do next.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of ponder
Verb
  • Proceeds aren’t the same as taxable gains, and the tax bill depends on the home’s original cost, qualifying improvements, selling expenses and the $500,000 home-sale exclusion for eligible married couples.
    — Liz Weston, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The effectiveness of electronic warfare depends on the target’s communications and operating characteristics.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of depend
Verb
  • Once the researchers accounted for this requirement, the window for a split narrowed considerably, potentially remaining open only for black holes spinning close to their maximum possible rate.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Christopher Bell, who entered just five points behind Larson, crashed after spinning while entering the pits under green for his first pit stop on Lap 56.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of spin

Phrases Containing turn

Browse Nearby Words

turmoils
turn
turnabout
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Cite this Entry

“Turn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turn. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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