TURNS (ON) Synonyms: 164 Similar and Opposite Words

turns (on) 1 of 2

verb (1)

present tense third-person singular of turn (on)

as in attacks

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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turns on

2 of 2

verb (2)

present tense third-person singular of turn on

as in thrills

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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as in triggers

to cause to function would you turn on the TV?

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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 (on)

Verb

Three turns on each side is sufficient to thoroughly lube the entire chain. — New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026 Rather than centering on vacationers attempting to unplug from reality, the narrative reportedly turns on two rival film crews arriving with competing festival entries. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 1 Sep. 2026 All data is end-to-end encrypted, and the system only turns on after fingerprint login. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026 When those decisions go wrong, the cost lands on defendants, victims and anyone whose future turns on what an examiner finds. — Lars Daniel, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026 Despite two Tony nominations for her previous turns on the Great White Way, Janney is feeling the nerves. — Carita Rizzo, Deadline, 6 Aug. 2026 The only thing worse than a shower that suddenly turns cold when someone turns on an appliance is one that suddenly turns scalding hot when someone flushes the toilet. — Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 July 2026 After a few turns on the Superstar, Sp5der and Adidas are now looking to combine the retro aesthetics of soccer and running on a brand-new silhouette. — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 24 June 2026 Phytic acid binds directly to HDAC3 and turns on its activity. — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for turns (on)

Verb

In humans, the rabies virus, transmitted in the saliva of an infected animal, is a serious and fatal disease that attacks the central nervous system.

— Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2026
The hydrogen peroxide treatment then attacks the remaining dye-cotton linkages and removes residual color.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of attacks

Verb

Railing against a new crop of progressive candidates has emerged as a more animating focus for a president who thrills to a fight.

— Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 5 July 2026
Her strict economy, honed by her early years of writing and endlessly revising (under the exacting eye of Allene Talmey) tight captions for Vogue, thrills the editor in me.

— Zinzi Clemmons, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026

Definition of thrills

Verb

Touch guides drone The first tactile contact triggers a change in the drone’s behavior.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2026
That light exposure triggers the production of chlorophyll in the potato’s skin (the same pigment responsible for turning leaves green).

— Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of triggers

Verb

Anyone who assaults law enforcement will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

— Christina Fan, CBS News, 7 June 2026
Any passenger who assaults, threatens, intimidates or interferes with airline crew members can lead to penalties of up to $43,658 per violation, according to the FAA.

— Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 3 May 2026

Definition of assaults

Verb

In the character's final scene, as the DEA raids her rural compound, Laurie ties a rope around her neck and jumps from the roof of her home.

— Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 1 June 2026
In the meantime, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) finally raids Laurie's property, thanks to the intel Rue had been giving them.

— Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 1 June 2026

Definition of raids

Verb

Standing amid the ruins of the villa and grotto, you might be overwhelmed by the ancient mythology that electrifies the air here.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
What starts as one state utility trying to see its own network more clearly could end up as part of the blueprint for how the developing world electrifies its future.

— Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026

Definition of electrifies

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“Turns (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turns%20%28on%29. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of turns (on)

verb (1)

verb (2)

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