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
1
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in triggers
to cause to function would you turn on the TV?

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
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 These priority zones focus on pedestrian traffic by installing crosswalks at all intersections, banning right turns on red lights, increasing crossing time, shading sidewalks, lowering speed limits and reducing driving lane widths. — Amaia Gavica, Miami Herald, 25 June 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 Paula turns on a dime, expertly masks her horror, stress, and despair, and puts on a smile for her little girl. — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 17 June 2026 The plot turns on the mystery of a handkerchief that Othello gives to Desdemona. — David Frum, The Atlantic, 17 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turns (on)
  1. attacks
  2. thrills
  3. triggers
  4. assaults
  5. excites
  6. activates
  7. raids
  8. electrifies
Verb
  • Greenidge, an award-winning public historian, refuted all charges, and told the New York Times that attacks on her scholarship were racially motivated.
    — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026
  • However, when Duffy attacks Marcus during a confrontation with Slough House agents, Louisa hits the chief of the Dogs in the head, leaving him in a coma.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 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
  • But the state of New York offers defendants strong double jeopardy protections; in New York, a prior conviction—either through a guilty plea or a guilty verdict after a trial—for the same offense typically triggers double jeopardy.
    — Chantelle Lee, Time, 18 Aug. 2026
  • It’s encapsulated in exosome technology and powered by their Suprême Skin Bio-Complex that’s rich in peptides and visibly triggers skin renewal, plus evens, brightens and firms in four weeks.
    — Celia Shatzman, Forbes.com, 18 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
  • What excites me most is the breadth; this isn’t a bet on one country or one genre.
    — Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 20 Aug. 2026
  • In this resonance, sound excites air trapped within a cavity, creating an airflow imbalance that generates propulsion.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of excites
Verb
  • The result is a drug delivery system that activates only when needed, avoiding the risk of long-term administration of needlessly high doses.
    — Mike McRae August 19, New Atlas, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Whether positive or challenging, everyone will see it while the Scorpio moon activates Jupiter.
    — USA TODAY, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of activates
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

Browse Nearby Words

turns off
turns (on)
turns on
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Cite this Entry

“Turns (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turns%20%28on%29. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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