1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
4
5
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in ponders
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 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
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in walks
a relaxed journey on foot for exercise or pleasure
would you care to take a turn around the garden?
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in services
an act of kind assistance
one good turn deserves another
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of turns
Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
Waynesville’s annual Church Street Art & Craft Show in early October turns the already charming downtown into an autumnal dream complete with cloggers, bluegrass bands, artisan crafts, and local food.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 20 Sep. 2025
As the dish bakes, the bacon turns crisp while the small sausage links stay tender and juicy.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Sep. 2025
The seventh project the Nasser brothers have shot in the country since leaving Gaza back in 2012, the film turns the kingdom into the titular Palestinian city.
—Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 20 Sep. 2025
If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 20 Sep. 2025
Your dad turns and walks down the hall.
—Matthew Shen Goodman, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Working with a script by Neil Simon, May turns its tightly wound comedy into an uproarious, bitterly ironic vision of self-liberation and the pursuit of happiness.
—Jane Bua, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2025
The 1977 indoor roller coaster takes riders on a high-speed journey through the dark with many twists, turns and dips.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
Dennis Harvey, Variety, 20 Sep. 2025
Roofman is by turns ludicrous and sincere, proof that Cianfrance can expand beyond straightforward melodramas without sacrificing intimacy.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2025
Eisner served as Disney's CEO from 1984 to 2005 and has had turns as an executive at NBC, CBS, and ABC.
—Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025
The case has taken a series of unorthodox turns.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2025
Competitors who receive three turns will earn special advantages in the next round.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 19 Sep. 2025
The day’s biggest winners arguably were relievers Zack Kelly and Chris Murphy, who combined to post a scoreless top of the 10th after the club’s established high-leverage arms had already taken their turns.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 18 Sep. 2025
On my best laps, the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires reached perfect slip angles to conserve speed between turns, effectively transforming a brute behemoth into a momentum car.
—Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Elias Díaz, who had only caught Pivetta for more than four turns through the rotation, caught the Padres’ two games in that span, which sandwiched an off day.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Sep. 2025
Verb
As the air turns crisp and the daylight fades a little earlier each evening, the season invites us to slow down and savor the outdoors.
—Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
Waynesville’s annual Church Street Art & Craft Show in early October turns the already charming downtown into an autumnal dream complete with cloggers, bluegrass bands, artisan crafts, and local food.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 20 Sep. 2025
As the dish bakes, the bacon turns crisp while the small sausage links stay tender and juicy.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Sep. 2025
The seventh project the Nasser brothers have shot in the country since leaving Gaza back in 2012, the film turns the kingdom into the titular Palestinian city.
—Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 20 Sep. 2025
If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 20 Sep. 2025
Your dad turns and walks down the hall.
—Matthew Shen Goodman, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Working with a script by Neil Simon, May turns its tightly wound comedy into an uproarious, bitterly ironic vision of self-liberation and the pursuit of happiness.
—Jane Bua, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2025
The 1977 indoor roller coaster takes riders on a high-speed journey through the dark with many twists, turns and dips.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
Noun
The most conspicuously comedic turns, like Sul’s or Yamamoto’s, wouldn’t work half as well if not complemented by judicious restraint from others.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 20 Sep. 2025
Roofman is by turns ludicrous and sincere, proof that Cianfrance can expand beyond straightforward melodramas without sacrificing intimacy.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2025
Eisner served as Disney's CEO from 1984 to 2005 and has had turns as an executive at NBC, CBS, and ABC.
—Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025
The case has taken a series of unorthodox turns.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2025
Competitors who receive three turns will earn special advantages in the next round.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 19 Sep. 2025
The day’s biggest winners arguably were relievers Zack Kelly and Chris Murphy, who combined to post a scoreless top of the 10th after the club’s established high-leverage arms had already taken their turns.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 18 Sep. 2025
On my best laps, the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires reached perfect slip angles to conserve speed between turns, effectively transforming a brute behemoth into a momentum car.
—Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Elias Díaz, who had only caught Pivetta for more than four turns through the rotation, caught the Padres’ two games in that span, which sandwiched an off day.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turns
Verb
-
The United States holds the G20’s presidency in 2026 — a position that rotates among the 19 countries and the European Union, which make up the group.—
Emily Goodin,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
-
In contrast, the team’s innovative solution rotates the printing platform, allowing powder to be deposited and fused continuously.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Refocusing On Long-Term Results As the marketing pendulum inevitably swings from domination by spreadsheet-wielding geeks to marketing by creative brand-builders, companies will realize that they have been overly focused on short-term results.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
With Venice the fall’s first awards season launchpad, eyes will be keenly trained on how the jury swings tonight.—
Nancy Tartaglione,
Deadline,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Even in states whose policy deviates from the CDC, each pharmacy can set its own boundaries on who can be vaccinated, and individual pharmacists may fear liability for vaccinating pregnant customers, Groves said.—
Yasmin Tayag,
The Atlantic,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The Uncut Gems star's ensemble deviates from his signature style, which typically includes oversize T-shirts, hoodies and shorts, as well as stylish sneakers.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Stephanie Vaquer becomes Women's World Champion at #Wrestlepalooza!—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Sep. 2025
-
Many might disagree with this, but the truth is that once software support ends, your device becomes vulnerable to all kinds of unpatchable security flaws.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Her character, Mia, is a producer at UBA’s The Morning Show, around which the series revolves.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The research team carefully ponders numerous different inputs for each type of complexity.—
Nathan Goldman,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Sorrentino’s script cleverly ponders the difference between the truth absorbed up close and the law, which is viewed from a distance.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
On Wednesday, Fraser and Schweigert made the case that success depends on much more than just tech.—
Katherine Fung,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Great leaders know their success depends on the ability to communicate with clarity.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Venus spins very slowly on its axis, and one day there is equivalent to 116 Earth days, or nearly four months.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
15 Sep. 2025
-
An inner radiative zone (makes up 70 percent of the Sun by radius), where energy flows smoothly and the whole region spins together like a solid ball, and the outer convective zone (the remaining 30 percent), where hot gases swirl chaotically and spin at different speeds depending on location.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Turns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turns. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.
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