TWISTING Synonyms: 203 Similar and Opposite Words

twisting 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of twisting

as in winding

marked by a long series of irregular curves a twisting mountain road that requires extra careful driving

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

twisting

2 of 3

noun

ˈtwi-stiŋ

as in twist

a forceful rotating or pulling motion for the purpose of dislodging something it took some twisting, but I finally got the top off the jar

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twisting

3 of 3

verb

present participle of twist

as in distorting

to change so much as to create a wrong impression or alter the meaning of my enemies will twist my words, but you'll only hear the truth out of me

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in coiling

to follow a circular or spiral course the path gently twisted down the hill

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

straightening

as in rotating

to move (something) in a curved or circular path on or as if on an axis twisted my wrist around to stretch it

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in pulling

to move by or as if by a forceful rotation kept twisting the cap until it came free

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as in tossing

to make jerky or restless movements the dental patient twisted nervously in the chair

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in weaving

to cause to twine about one another has the habit of idly twisting the strands of her hair while daydreaming

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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 twisting

Verb

When glossy, spoon mixture into a sandwich bag, pushing the mixture to the corner of the bag and twisting the top of the bag to remove any excess air. — Candy Hom, AJC.com, 23 Oct. 2026 The film’s pick-me jabs at humor are frankly, flatly unfunny and grating, twisting the film at times into a perverse, almost self-aware treatise on tweeness. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 20 Oct. 2026 The most cynical see it as Lincoln’s calculating, lawyerly way to have things his way by twisting law to his desire. — Literary Hub, 19 Oct. 2026 For each strip, pinch the ends, then gently stretch while twisting until 8 inches long. — Hali Bey Ramdene, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Oct. 2026 The three-time NBA MVP stood behind a gaggle of teammates squished up against the CU bench, quietly surveying the madness from the 15-yard line while twisting the cap of his bottled water. — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 4 Oct. 2026 The woman denied the allegations, and Ross hit her in the chest several times, the report says, and choked her, restricting her breathing by twisting the collar of her hoodie. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026 For much of the 1990s and 2000s, Guatemala had been twisting its way toward democracy, but corruption networks and drug traffickers had insinuated themselves into the country’s institutions. — Will Freeman, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2026 But Mulderrig’s red Harley-Davidson Sportster slammed into the rear passenger side of Oates’ Cadillac, crumpling the back corner and twisting the wheel out of shape. — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for twisting

Adjective

Every floor and room is dedicated to specific watch brands and timepieces, featuring bespoke details like watch-hand door handles and winding-crown faucet handles, all crafted by Florentine artisans.

— Irene S. Levine, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
As such, the show takes you on a winding journey of France’s influential craftsmanship and its impact on America via archival looks, dazzling objects, and more modern creations.

— Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 29 May 2026

Definition of winding

Noun

Chrissy’s discovery sets the stage for a twist that merely draws unfavorable comparisons to far better speculative science fiction about our growing dependence on AI companionship.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Bar manager Giovanni Allario weaves unexpected twists into classics, like the Pesto Martini with vodka, white balsamic vinegar, and homemade pesto and a Gremolada Negroni with notes of lemon and parsley.

— Jaclyn DeGiorgio, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of twist

Verb

But attorneys for the group Defenders of Wildlife said the government was distorting the environmental law’s definition of a species by focusing only on the populations in Minnesota and the Northern Rockies.

— Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2026
The absurdist look at greed and climate change, reality and the distorting power of media, feckless world leaders and rapacious billionaires, struggled to get off the ground.

— Brent Lang, IndieWire, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of distorting

Verb

In those animals, a mutation in another gene can produce left-coiling individuals, but it is also associated with abnormal development.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
The stock has spent two months coiling in a narrow range, so the levels that matter are close by.

— Josh Brown,Sean Russo, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of coiling

Verb

To deliver for employees, fill that chair with a real employee, rotating regularly, with a mandate to gather input from their peers before and after every session.

— Deborah Lovich, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026
Moving forward is one thing, but moving up and down, changing direction, and rotating in place is a whole different challenge.

— Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of rotating

Verb

One of the most fun parts of writing comedy is coming up with alt after alt after alt for a joke, pulling ever-increasingly stupid punch lines out of one’s ass.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
The deputy made a U-turn and saw the man, who deputies say is 49-year-old Brenton Burke, kneeling under the truck’s steering column and pulling wires, the arrest report states.

— David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of pulling

Verb

The video showed the employee tossing the cash onto the front counter before the suspect grabbed the money and stuffed it into his pocket.

— Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Arrange in a single layer and roast, tossing occasionally, until tender and browned, 15–25 minutes.

— Rick Martinez, Bon Appetit Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of tossing

Verb

Combat sequences, set in the Pacific theater and filmed in Australia, look expansive and authentic, weaving around hundreds of soldiers running and shouting and shooting at once.

— Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026
The process was particularly intricate, as each interlacing detail on the bodice had to be carefully constructed by weaving hundreds of meters of rouleau and while maintaining the tension and precision of the corsetry underneath.

— Shelby Wax, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of weaving

Cite this Entry

Style

“Twisting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/twisting. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of twisting

adjective

noun

verb

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