turning (on) 1 of 2

verb (1)

Definition of turning (on)next
present participle of turn (on)
as in attacking
to take sudden, violent action against it is dangerous to keep tigers as house pets, as they often turn on their masters without warning

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

turning on

2 of 2

verb (2)

present participle of turn on
1
as in thrilling
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 turning (on)
Verb
But Salazar, who, amazingly, is also a Cuban American former news anchor, is now reckoning with her district increasingly turning on the President amid economic pressure and an immigration crackdown that is extremely unpopular among Latinos. — Daniel Castro, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2026 Virginia, your story uses dark humor to manipulate readers into sympathizing with Winifred before turning on them. — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026 One possible hypothesis comes in the prologue, set on June 9, 1956, turning on Police Commissioner Folcada, which suggests the terrible impunity of power. — Roberto Prieto, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026 But there’s nothing better than a little kid opening his gift and then turning on the TV watching the NBA games. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2026 In 2024, a Colorado family’s home security camera captured another dog accidentally turning on a stovetop after jumping up to investigate boxes left on the range. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 14 July 2026 Neighbors rescue two dogs from burning home Fire officials said Bo was the dog seen on video inadvertently turning on the toaster. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 14 July 2026 The Gold Cloaks end up turning on Team Green, allowing Rhaenyra to take the Iron Throne. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026 Letting the temperature rise slightly during the day means the system isn't turning on and off rapidly all afternoon. — Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 30 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turning (on)
  1. attacking
  2. thrilling
  3. triggering
  4. assaulting
  5. exciting
  6. activating
  7. raiding
  8. electrifying
Verb
  • Researchers constructed a hollow fiber membrane lined on the outside with palladium nanoparticles rather than attacking PFAS in open water.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Broward Sheriff’s Office detectives are seeking the public’s help finding a woman accused of attacking a North Lauderdale store clerk with pepper spray earlier this month.
    — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of attacking
Verb
  • The Miami Hurricanes rallied from a second-half deficit for a thrilling 43-35, come-from-behind double overtime victory over the Florida State Seminoles on Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Buffalo is coming off a thrilling overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of thrilling
Verb
  • Pandemic closures slashed membership by 55%, triggering a $40 million revenue collapse in 2020 that forced leadership to freeze hiring, defer capital projects, draw on reserves and adjust lender terms.
    — Chase Jordan October 14, Charlotte Observer, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The store owner was in Israel at the time, triggering a yearslong extradition process.
    — Monika Evstatieva, NPR, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of triggering
Verb
  • Among those arrested were individuals accused of choking their partners and assaulting their children, the sheriff’s office said.
    — Tanya Babbar, Houston Chronicle, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Selma Blair pleaded not guilty to assaulting a police officer and nurse after a Delta Air Lines incident.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of assaulting
Verb
  • Major Wilson, 17, has been around horses most of his life and now spends much of his time helping younger riders get ready, showing them how to saddle their horses without exciting them.
    — Jhair Romero, Houston Chronicle, 26 Feb. 2026
  • For Harrington and her husband Dante, the thought of triplets was shocking but exciting all the same.
    — Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2025
Definition of exciting
Verb
  • Semaglutide mimics its activity by activating GLP-1 receptors in the body.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The protease partially pulls a proton off the water molecule, activating it to attack and break up the peptide bond.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of activating
Verb
  • An increasing number of Americans are raiding their retirement funds to tackle debt.
    — Carson Brunson, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Preventing undesirable baboon behaviour, like raiding food, is easier than trying to tackle it once it’s become engrained.
    — Will Barker, TheWeek, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of raiding
Verb
  • After its electrifying premiere, there were quickly reports that A24 is focused on a Best Picture campaign for the film in large part because the Academy’s fusty Documentary Branch may opt not to nominate it for Best Documentary Feature.
    — Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The Minnesota Lynx's electrifying guard, Olivia Miles, has been named the Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year.
    — Cole Premo, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of electrifying

Browse Nearby Words

turning off
turning (on)
turning on
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Cite this Entry

“Turning (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turning%20%28on%29. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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