What is another word for were turned toward?
Pronunciation: [wɜː tˈɜːnd tʊwˈɔːd] (IPA) 
The phrase "were turned toward" implies directionality and attentiveness. It can be useful to use synonyms to vary language and avoid repetition. "Were facing" is a simple alternative, as is "were looking at" or "were gazing upon." For a more poetic tone, "were beholding" or "were fixated on" could work. "Were focused upon" emphasizes the concentration behind the gaze. "Were directed toward" or "were trained on" communicate precision. "Were oriented toward" or "were aligned with" emphasize the alignment of the subject's attention. All of these synonyms can vary the language and add a layer of nuance to the original phrase.
