1
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
4
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in to ponder
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
1
as in walk
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 kindness
an act of kind assistance
one good turn deserves another
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Recent Examples of turn
Alexandra Schonfeld, People.com, 29 May 2025
At Christian Dior, Maria Grazia Chiuri worked to turn a legacy house into a home.
—Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 29 May 2025
Ted Janes, Outdoor Life, 29 May 2025
The rider was heading south on Centre City Parkway approaching Nutmeg Street shortly after 7:35 p.m. when a 67-year-old driver in a Hyundai Ioniq began to make a left-hand turn from Nutmeg to northbound Centre City Parkway.
—Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for turn
Verb
The model, who turns 18 on May 29, 2025, made her runway debut in 2023
Comments
Zaya Wade is one stylish teenager!
—Alexandra Schonfeld, People.com, 29 May 2025
At Christian Dior, Maria Grazia Chiuri worked to turn a legacy house into a home.
—Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 29 May 2025
Noun
Larry Fowler and Muskrat Jimmie had done me a good turn this night.
—Ted Janes, Outdoor Life, 29 May 2025
The rider was heading south on Centre City Parkway approaching Nutmeg Street shortly after 7:35 p.m. when a 67-year-old driver in a Hyundai Ioniq began to make a left-hand turn from Nutmeg to northbound Centre City Parkway.
—Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for turn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turn
Verb
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The Chargers rotated heavily at corner in Tuesday’s practice.—
Daniel Popper,
New York Times,
28 May 2025
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The brigade rotates its infantry only on days when fog, rain, snow, or heavy wind limit the enemy’s visibility.—
Nataliya Gumenyuk,
The Atlantic,
27 May 2025
Verb
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The president's team has now swung the pendulum in the opposite direction from five years ago, even attempting to rescind findings of constitutional violations in the cities where Floyd and Taylor lost their lives.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
27 May 2025
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The momentum swung again on the next hole when Griffin saved par from behind a tree in the fairway and Schmid curiously aimed away from the hole with his ball plugged in a bunker, ended up in the rough and made bogey.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
25 May 2025
Verb
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An example might be a SaaS company adding consulting or training services that enhance the core software experience without deviating too far from its expertise.—
Will Fan,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
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The spending proposal lawmakers approved, negotiated among the Democratic House and Senate leaders and the governor’s office, deviates from Pritzker’s original plan in certain areas, including funding for elementary and secondary education.—
Dan Petrella,
Chicago Tribune,
1 June 2025
Verb
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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
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Similarly, Musk’s political brand has become a liability.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Time,
6 June 2025
Verb
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The best way to pay off debt The best move for those struggling to pay down revolving credit card debt is to consolidate with a 0% balance transfer card, experts suggest.—
Jessica Dickler,
CNBC,
2 Apr. 2025
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The filing also details various financial agreements, including a revolving credit agreement entered on May 1, 2024, with a maturity date of May 1, 2029.—
Quartz Intelligence Newsroom,
Quartz,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Tyler Dragon ponders if Rodgers actually makes the Steelers better.—
Jim Reineking,
USA Today,
7 June 2025
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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
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Ultimately, much may depend on their vision for Nwaneri’s and Dowman’s ultimate positions — and the outcome of he former’s contract negotiations.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
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The specific extent and locations depend on unpredictable currents and wind patterns, with annual peaks historically occurring in midsummer.—
Sophie Clark,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
Verb
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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
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Alas, Bill never calls, and though Jenny spins it as the part of the rom-com where there’s a mix-up before true love prevails, that’s clearly not the case.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
5 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Turn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turn. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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