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

Ritchson highlights the season's unpredictable plot, with major twists and antagonist reveals occurring earlier than expected, promising a compelling watch. — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026 Adult party Jenga games These follow the same formats but with spicier twists on the game. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026 There are shocking twists but on such a grand scale that the urge to laugh is as strong as the urge to scream. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2026 Indeed, there are twists aplenty in Patterson’s sophomore feature, both in what happens in the story and in how the filmmaker chooses to tell it. — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 10 Aug. 2026 Murphy’s thrives on emotional extremes and outrageous plot twists. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 8 Aug. 2026 But as Stassi should know better than anyone, the best reality TV requires actual twists and unexpected turns. — Caroline Framke, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2026 The knob twists and depresses like a button (with programmable options for both a short and long press). — Brian Westover, PC Magazine, 3 Aug. 2026 General manager Quinn Farragher runs the bar program, offering a blend of classics and their own twists, such as a hot honey margarita made with local Becker honey. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 31 July 2026

Verb

Throughout the special, Scovel repeatedly invites his viewers to see his act in one way, twists the material back on itself, and then mock-angrily confronts the crowd for their inappropriate reaction. — Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026 But some of what twists in Season 3 is the soundscape, which Condal wanted to have a slightly different, more unstable character. — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 2026 Instead, its body twists and its legs kick as someone reaches toward it. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026 Always have a backup plan in case the child is not into it, twists an ankle or has a meltdown. — Judy Koutsky, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 Alicia Keys has made braids, cornrows, and twists a signature part of her evolving beauty look throughout her career. — Sunnah Rasheed, InStyle, 23 July 2026 With the franchise’s trademark blend of extreme gore and dark humor, the Evil Dead backstory centers on the ancient Book of the Dead that unleashes supernatural evil forces and twists victims into sadistic, shape-shifting, near-invincible monsters. — Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 21 July 2026 An agitator is a post in the machine’s center that twists so the clothes can rub against each other, while impellers have a cone or disc on the bottom of the drum that spins. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for twists

Noun

The European Investment Bank (EIB) estimates that roughly 200 wrecks, including warships, barges, tugs, and cargo vessels, remain scattered across a five-kilometer stretch of the river near Prahovo.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 4 Aug. 2026
Momentus’ spacecraft can also serve as space tugs to ferry smaller satellites or experiments from one orbit to another.

— Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 9 July 2026

Definition of tugs

Noun

Standard Tactics Lose Their Edge Here The biggest surprise was that the tricks our agency uses for clients didn’t work here!

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
The voices and visions play tricks and offer surprises, and there’s a sense of humour even when tragedy is lurking in the wings.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of tricks

Verb

The narrative that choice schools funnel funds away from local districts distorts Connecticut public school funding.

— Leonard Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2026
Instead of wiping firmware, an adversary nudges a setpoint, edits a protection parameter, distorts a sensor feed—or shows the operator a calm screen while the equipment tears itself apart.

— Julian Durand, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of distorts

Verb

These events occur when extremely hot underground water suddenly turns into steam, expands, and blasts apart the surrounding rock.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026
Find out what the bill does when one workflow triples its tool calls after a model upgrade, because that is the scenario that turns a modest platform fee into a line item the CFO wants explained.

— Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of turns

Verb

The 420 Sport jostles and squirms on these surfaces at low speeds, but the payoff is unfiltered, no-nonsense feedback.

— Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 22 July 2026
When Brian and Murtagh report that Dougal offended the Grants and Colum had to promise Ellen’s hand to appease the situation, Lord Lovat squirms.

— Lincee Ray Published, EW.com, 15 Aug. 2025

Definition of squirms

Verb

Rome — Scorching temperatures and a long, dry summer have given locals and tourists alike a rare opportunity to see the remains of a 2,000-year-old bridge that once spanned the Tiber river that weaves through the center of Rome.

— Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
The jukebox musical weaves songs from across Keys’ career into the fictional Ali’s story.

— Maya Santiago, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026