TURNS Synonyms: 343 Similar and Opposite Words

turns 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of turn

as in rotates

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

as in swings

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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as in deviates

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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as in becomes

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

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as in revolves

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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as in ponders

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

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as in depends

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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as in spins

to be in a confused state as if from being twirled around all the new information made his head turn

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as in convinces

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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turns

2 of 2

noun

plural of turn

as in walks

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

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as in services

an act of kind assistance one good turn deserves another

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as in tendencies

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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as in bends

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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as in bouts

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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as in acts

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 turns

Verb

If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter. — Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 25 June 2026 The days are still sweltering, but dusk comes early and sharp, and the air turns suddenly cold. — Meghan O’Gieblyn, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026 As for the volunteers, the goal is simple—help someone stay safe before the heat turns into an emergency. — Marissa Sulek, CBS News, 1 July 2026 The heat domes tend to form where the jet stream turns northward, moving up and over the dome itself and leading to strong flows of hot air from the south to the north near the Earth’s surface. — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 1 July 2026 Hallowed Halls turns your home into a stately Victorian manor, complete with spooky portraits, eerie black-and-gold decor, and even a few séance essentials. — Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 June 2026 As America turns 250, the semiquincentennial feels like a dud — a far cry from 1976’s bicentennial blowout, when pop culture and communal celebrations united a weary nation. — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026 As the nation turns 250 years old, USA TODAY decided to create a time capsule, not of items but of dreams Americans hold for our country’s future. — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 30 June 2026 As the Judgment of Paris turns 50, winemaker Kristy Melton opens Freemark Abbey’s archives, pours historic bottles and reflects on what nearly 140 years of unbroken Napa history still has to say. — Jill Barth, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

Noun

Melting suet turns rancid fast and creates a mess of bird plumage. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 4 July 2026 But pretty much all of his other major starring turns have left me cold. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 3 July 2026 The right-hander struck out six and walked two while losing his fifth straight start and remaining winless over his past six turns. — Miami Herald, 5 July 2026 Having confidence to stay on throttle on blind turns with a cliff on your side is a whole new level of confidence. — Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 In major cities like New York or London, the cost of living turns dating into a class issue. — Meehika Barua, Time, 6 July 2026 Handling is responsive and precise during turns, which is exactly what drivers need from such a small and mighty vehicle. — Charles Singh, USA Today, 6 July 2026 Co-directed by The Vow's Jehane Noujaim and Vikram Gandhi, this four-part series dives deep into the twists and turns of Burning Man, with access to leadership from throughout the years. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 3 July 2026 The ride, designed by coaster manufacturer Bolliger & Mabillard, will begin with a 309-foot climb, followed by a 95-degree beyond-vertical drop, and will include sharp turns, airtime moments, and multiple inversions. — Doug Myers, CBS News, 2 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for turns

Verb

The Air Force rotates bombers including B-1s, B-2s and B-52s through Andersen to project power across the Pacific.

— Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
Torifune orbits the sun every 383 days and rotates every 5 hours.

— Brett Tingley, Space.com, 6 July 2026

Definition of rotates

Verb

But the blueness of these districts does mean that the socialists will get elected and likely survive when the pendulum swings back to the Republicans.

— W. James Antle III, The Washington Examiner, 27 June 2026
The map introduces the armored Oni, which swings a spiked kanabō, plus Scorched Zombies and fiery Hellhounds tied to its lava-field hazards.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026

Definition of swings

Verb

The Washington Post spoke to seven current and former National Park Service staffers who said the policy deviates from the agency’s long-standing approach to release as much information as possible.

— Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026
Extra padding on the tongue and collar blow up the proportions of the silhouette, while a suede, mesh and leather upper deviates from the typical leather build.

— Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 16 June 2026

Definition of deviates

Verb

Jockey Steve Cauthen becomes the first rider in history to sweep the world’s four major derbies after winning the Irish Derby with Old Vic.

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
When these five components operate as a unified system, technology becomes an asset rather than a collection of disconnected purchases.

— Damini Sood, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of becomes

Verb

Vieira ponders the dilemma from his own perspective as a coach, having had spells in charge at New York City, Nice, Crystal Palace, Strasbourg and Genoa.

— Oliver Kay, New York Times, 15 June 2026
As coach John Hynes ponders his Game 1 starter, the recent numbers will show that Wallstedt has allowed a total of four goals in his final two regular-season starts, while veteran Filip Gustavsson has been touched for 10 in the same span.

— Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 15 Apr. 2026

Definition of ponders

Verb

The Catherine wheel of anxiety spins in the largest military alliance in history, with some justification.

— Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
An agitator is a post in the machine’s center that twists so the clothes can rub against each other, while impellers have a cone or disc on the bottom of the drum that spins.

— BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2026