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
Sarah Snook, who won a Tony Award for Best Performance By a Leading Actress in a Play for The Picture of Dorian Gray, is stumped about how it would ever be turned into a film. Dade Hayes, Deadline, 9 June 2025 This focus and appreciation for lifestyle gaming turned the DS from a simple console to a generation-defining device. Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 9 June 2025
Noun
This in turn derives from the root obstare, to stand across, as in the position of a midwife vis à vis her patient, and also evokes physical obstacle, something that must be surmounted, gotten around. Erica Stern june 9, Literary Hub, 9 June 2025 Things took a severe turn during her second season, not only with viewers at home, but among the cast. Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 9 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for turn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turn
Verb
  • For more formal occasions, she’s also rotated in white sneakers worn with tailored linen separates — a recurring combination that blends practicality with polish.
    Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 7 June 2025
  • The museum will also feature rotating contemporary exhibitions from Mexican, Latin American, and female artists.
    Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • During the argument, Goins swung the golf club at Jones, a witness told police.
    Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 June 2025
  • Reserve forward Obi Toppin helped swing the game, draining five 3s off the bench.
    Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • They are instructed not to deviate from the article content.
    TIME Staff, Time, 16 June 2025
  • The signature love, heartbreak, and reunions filled these last 8 episodes, leading to a shocking season finale revelation that deviated away from the book series.
    Reshma Gopaldas, IndieWire, 4 June 2025
Verb
  • Similarly, Musk’s political brand has become a liability.
    Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 6 June 2025
  • So Ait-Nouri has become one of Wolves’ most dangerous attacking threats and one of the most potent defenders in the Premier League in attacking areas.
    Steve Madeley, New York Times, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • In a sport that revolves so much around India, Australia and England, it’s been a breath of fresh air that South Africa made a barnstorming run to the final.
    Tristan Lavalette, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
  • Dermoid cysts are more likely to develop in younger women, and typically don’t revolve spontaneously.
    Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 4 June 2025
Verb
  • Tyler Dragon ponders if Rodgers actually makes the Steelers better.
    Jim Reineking, USA Today, 7 June 2025
  • Tatis pondered the question of whether being hit has affected his hitting in any way.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2025
Verb
  • A lot of the market is waiting for a resolution here because other project sales depend on it.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 6 June 2025
  • Clients depend on Snowflake for data storage and management through its cloud platform.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • The break-up between Elon Musk and Donald Trump is the battle that everyone saw coming, spinning into a tweetstorm of insults, unwanted revelations and surprising outbursts.
    Chris Westfall, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
  • At one of those events, a 24-year-old girl died after a spinning car careened into the crowd.
    James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Turn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turn. Accessed 19 Jun. 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!