zuru verb, intransitive verb, transitive verb
Used both intransitively (something turns/changes) and transitively (someone turns/changes something). Often appears in formal or written contexts. The meaning 'to distract' is limited to set phrases like 話を転ずる (change the subject).
状況が急に転じた。
The situation suddenly turned.
彼は話題を転じて、天気の話を始めた。
He shifted the topic and started talking about the weather.