TURN-ON Synonyms: 199 Similar and Opposite Words

turn (on) 1 of 3

verb (1)

Definition of turn (on)

as in to attack

to take sudden, violent action against it is dangerous to keep tigers as house pets, as they often turn on their masters without warning

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

turn-on

2 of 3

noun

as in lure

something that persuades one to perform an action for pleasure or gain knew the offer of free pizza would be a major turn-on to the pair of teenagers she had just asked to help her move

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turn on

3 of 3

verb (2)

as in to thrill

to cause a pleasurable stimulation of the feelings unsurprisingly, the fanboys were turned on by the movie's amazing special effects and slam-bang plot

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to trigger

to cause to function would you turn on the TV?

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for turn (on)

Verb

In Iran, Afghans have been attacked by mobs and baselessly accused of collaborating with Israel; some legal residents have had police tear up their documents in front of them.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 31 Aug. 2026
On Saturday, an Ebola response team was attacked on the outskirts of the town of Mambasa in Ituri province while responding to a call to secure a body.

— Constant Same Bagalwa, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of attack

Noun

That state and its film incentives have been a major lure for productions for years.

— Eva Flowe August 28, Charlotte Observer, 28 Aug. 2026
The storyline involves Lasso leaving his job as head coach of AFC Richmond, returning to Kansas City to be closer to his son, and the team’s front office attempting the lure him back to England.

— Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of lure

Verb

The corner lot on which Pinky had sat for the past hundred years was now some of the most desirable real estate in Los Angeles, and its new owner, who had other plans for the land, was thrilled to sell the house for a dollar.

— Nicola Twilley, New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2026
Walmart has long resisted calls from shoppers to add tap to pay to its payment options – so shoppers on social media were thrilled to learn about the company's decision.

— Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of thrill

Verb

Near-death experiences are frequently triggered by a life-threatening event, such as cardiac arrest, traumatic brain injury or a car accident.

— Michael Collins, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
This triggered a realignment within the gaming industry, and put them at odds with Nevada regulators, too.

— Marshall Cohen, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of trigger

Verb

Scott and Dylan walked away from faculty members and the video production crew and and Scott allegedly assaulted her in a janitor’s closet.

— Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
The reality star and superyacht bosun’s statement comes after Rolling Stone reported last week that he was arrested in Australia last December for assaulting an unnamed 29-year-old woman at a Sydney-area apartment complex.

— Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of assault

Noun

But financial markets cannot operate on the assumption that temptation doesn't exist.

— Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Others shared excitement for the duo’s success — and also shared concern for temptation, living so close to the addicting food.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of temptation

Verb

Guided Vision will be available in the system Accessibility shortcuts and can also be activated from the TalkBack menu.

— Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 1 Sep. 2026
China has activated the third generating unit at the Shuangjiangkou Hydropower Station in Sichuan Province, bringing all three units in the first phase into operation.

— Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of activate

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.

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turnoffs

turn (on)

turn-on

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“Turn (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turn%20%28on%29. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of turn (on)

verb (1)

noun

verb (2)

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