TWISTS Synonyms: 225 Similar and Opposite Words

twists 1 of 2

noun

plural of twist

as in twistings

a forceful rotating or pulling motion for the purpose of dislodging something with a forceful twist she loosened the bolt

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Relevance

as in tricks

an odd or peculiar habit my roommate has his little twists, and I have mine, so things should balance out

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conformities

twists

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of twist

as in distorts

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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as in curls

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

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straightens

as in turns

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

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as in pulls

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

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as in squirms

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

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as in weaves

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

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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 twists

Noun

For all its twists, where the series is headed is never in doubt. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 18 June 2026 In any case, expect more twists and turns on the rollercoaster. — Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 26 June 2026 The list of suspects swell, as in an Agatha Christie novel, as Noelle’s unorthodox snooping about leads to surprise twists. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 18 June 2026 Edward Norton's journey with 1999's Fight Club took some major twists and turns. — Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026 Financiers and insurance companies will need to give the OK for companies to go – a big question as the ceasefire deal takes new twists and turns every day. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 23 June 2026 Despite the surge of trendy braids, old-school looks, like flat twists, boneless braids, and cornrows, also have a strong presence this summer, especially among those interested in length retention and damage repair. — Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 18 June 2026 Levshunov, Rinzel and Korchinski all have had their ups and downs over the last couple of seasons, so maybe there was some worry that picking a defenseman would just add more twists and turns to the Blackhawks’ rebuild. — Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 24 June 2026 At Caspian’s Cocktails & Caviar, Caesars Palace, they are known bringing rockstar swagger to traditional indulgence, including its menu of playful twists on classic caviar pairings. — Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026

Verb

Often, the bark twists around the tree in a process called strip-barking. — Taryn Shorr-McKee, Travel + Leisure, 21 June 2026 Pimiento cheese is a Southern classic, and this dip adds a couple twists to impress at any gathering. — Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 1 July 2026 Many injuries occur without direct contact, especially when a foot is planted and the body twists over it. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 June 2026 Some episodes feature mystery box twists containing advantages and hindrances that throw the competition into chaos. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 28 May 2026 Meanwhile, other stylists still prefer the traditional Senegalese twists method of using braiding hair to install two-strand twists that combine your natural hair. — Amira Rasool, InStyle, 8 June 2026 Maslany is the dynamic center of a story that twists in unexpected directions, giving Paula enough intelligence, warmth, and edginess to make her character cohere. — Judy Berman, Time, 20 May 2026 And yet as the series expands from and twists around its simple horror concept (a wedding at the groom-to-be’s family house in the woods is fated for a titular dark catastrophe), Morrone’s performance as Rachel is able to shoulder the weight of quite a bit of backstory and a complicated endgame. — Joe Reid, Vulture, 29 May 2026 But his candidate statement twists scripture to cast Jewish people as treacherous and contains antisemitic tropes, a rabbi with the conservative synagogue Mosaic Law Congregation told The Bee. — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for twists

Noun

Those ⁠vessels are smaller commercial ships, including five smaller oil tankers, coastal ships and tugs, according to analysis of the vessels waiting.

— Reuters, NBC news, 24 June 2026
Your 8th House of Intimacy and Resources tugs on play as the intuitive Moon squares messenger Mercury in your 5th House of Creativity.

— Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 23 June 2026

Definition of tugs

Verb

But as Gingras and Khelfaoui argue in the their preprint, removing the two papers distorts the historical record.

— Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 28 June 2026
Progressives across the country have spent years arguing that unlimited outside spending distorts democracy, empowers wealthy interests, and undermines trust in government.

— Julie Won, New York Daily News, 14 June 2026

Definition of distorts

Verb

Visitors are typically brought by elevator to the uppermost exhibition level and then follow a broad, gently descending ramp that coils around a central void.

— Bridget Borgobello May 30, New Atlas, 30 May 2026
When startled, the snake coils its body into a figure-eight shape or raises its tail to mimic another head and confuse predators.

— Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 11 May 2026

Definition of coils

Verb

As America turns 250, the semiquincentennial feels like a dud — a far cry from 1976’s bicentennial blowout, when pop culture and communal celebrations united a weary nation.

— Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
The heat domes tend to form where the jet stream turns northward, moving up and over the dome itself and leading to strong flows of hot air from the south to the north near the Earth’s surface.

— Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 1 July 2026

Definition of turns

Verb

Dembele’s pace stretches defenses, Olise has developed into one of Europe’s most creative playmakers and Barcola's intelligent movement constantly pulls defenders out of position.

— Clemente Lisi, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
As Otto groans, Rhaenrya pulls back and cleaves off Otto's head.

— Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 29 June 2026

Definition of pulls

Verb

The show weaves together AI, generative imagery, immersive audio and spatial narrative design, which organizers describe as producing a living, evolving environment.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 July 2026
From the thorny starting point of an Apache raid on a Western homestead, Costner weaves a complex, multi-perspective tale that wrestles with the romance and realities of American colonialism and mythmaking.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 3 July 2026