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turning

turning

152 4.4
A change in the usual way of doing things in a group or organization
  • noun
  • /ˈtɜrnɪŋ/
translation icon : giro
  • The year 1917 can be seen as a turning point in modern history.
  • a turning point
  • mark a turning
  • a major turning

But Vicksburg became a huge turning point in the war, and Lincoln famously said when the news was secure.

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Examples

  • This was a turning point for me, a call to action to live up to the ideals I believed in.

  • The mid-1980s proved to be a critical turning point in the dynamics of political violence in Colombia.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Now, this was a major turning point in American history.

  • Every war has its turning point.

  • Sure, but our movement has reached a turning point.

  • It's my belief that our victory there was a turning point in the war.

  • The second half of the nineteenth century was a turning point in the history of French philosophy.

    Academic text (2015)
  • The 14-18 war was a huge turning point in many facets of British life.

    Academic text (1999)
  • The liberalized immigration laws following the Second World War marked a turning point in demographic diversification.

    Academic text (1991)
  • The discovery of penicillin was a significant turning point in the history of medicine.

Synonyms

turning point
vsturning
104 3.7

A moment when an important event changes what happens next

is an act of changing practice or policy rather than the single moment
turn of events
vsturning
35 4.1

A sudden change in a situation that makes plans or results different

is an act or instance of changing practice or custom generally
turnaround
vsturning
22 5.2

A sudden change to the opposite decision or policy

is any change in practice or policy, not only full reversal
turnabout
vsturning
10 6.0

A complete change to the opposite view or decision

is a change in practice or custom without requiring full opposition
about-face
vsturning
  • Literature
5 7.3

A sudden, complete change of direction or opinion

is a change in practice or policy, not necessarily sudden or total
switching
vsturning
3 2.8

A change from one thing to another

is specifically about changes in practice, policy, or custom rather than any swap
change of course
vsturning
3 4.2

A move to a different direction physically or in plans

focuses on changes in practice or custom rather than literal movement
3 3.6

A change that makes a situation better

is a neutral change in practice or policy, not necessarily an improvement
reorientation
vsturning
3 6.2

A change of direction, focus, or beliefs to follow a new way

is a single act or instance of change, not a prolonged process
180
vsturning
  • Informal
1 4.4

A complete change of direction or opinion

covers any instance of change in practice, not only total reversals
about turn
vsturning
  • Jargon
1 5.8

A complete change of direction or opinion, often sudden

applies to changes in practice or policy, not only physical direction
handbrake turn
vsturning
  • UK
6.8

A sudden change of plans, policy, or behaviour

can mean a change in practice or custom without sudden decisiveness
table-turning
vsturning
  • Informal
7.0

A sudden change that gives the other side the advantage

is any change in practice or policy, not focused on advantage shifts

Antonyms

52 4.7

A situation where things stay the same or keep happening without big changes

1 6.5

Still water that does not move in pipes or lakes, causing poor quality

Idioms

A point after which you cannot go back or undo a decision

7.9

Thinking quietly and carefully about something

Compounds

104 3.7

A moment when an important event changes what happens next

11 5.8

Choosing to avoid someone or to stop something from happening

table turning
  • Archaic
9.9

A spiritual practice where people say a table moves during a meeting with spirits

table-turning
  • Informal
7.0

A sudden change that gives the other side the advantage

9.6

A large machine that spins big metal parts so a tool can cut and drill them

How Significant

revolution
810 4.1
to reform
228 3.7
turning
152 4.4
change
1.1
shift
363 3.5
adjustment
133 2.9

Surface Forms

turning singular
turnings plural

Morphology

turning = turn (semi-transparent) = turn + ing

Built from 'turn' + '-ing' but used metaphorically to indicate a change in policy/practice; the metaphor is common but somewhat non-literal for learners.

Etymology

Turning comes from the verb turn, meaning 'to change direction', and it is used for a big change in practice or policy because that change is like moving in a new direction.