CORKSCREW Synonyms: 71 Similar and Opposite Words

corkscrew 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of corkscrew

as in spiral

turning around an axis like the thread of a screw an angelic child with beautiful corkscrew curls

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

corkscrew

2 of 2

verb

as in to pull

to draw out by force or with effort practically every word had to be corkscrewed out of the tight-lipped witness

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to curl

to follow a circular or spiral course the trail corkscrews through dense woods to the top of the steep hill

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

straighten

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 corkscrew

Adjective

The size and shape of antelope horns range dramatically, from the tiny spikes of duikers to the majestic corkscrew horns (more than 160 cm [63 inches] long) of the greater kudu. — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 Apr. 2026 The Oscar winner's hair has changed a lot over the years, from her iconic red corkscrew curls in 1983 to a long blonde mane in 2026. — John Russell, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026

Verb

Above ground, corkscrew plants produce small green leaves and delicate flowers. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026 For dinner, choose the soon-to-open French bistro Petit Trois from chef Ludo Lefebvre, or opt for casual comfort (burgers, Jidori chicken Milanese, corkscrew fries) at the convivial, all-day restaurant. — Siobhan Reid, Vogue, 25 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for corkscrew

Recent Examples of Synonyms for corkscrew

Adjective

Up the marble spiral stairs—or the private elevator—are four bedrooms; the primary has views of the Columbia River and a boutique-style walk-in closet.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 14 Oct. 2026
The interior drew its own grim commentary—a few guests expressed feeling a sudden compulsion to jump from the top of the spiral ramp to their death.

— Wendy S. Walters, Architectural Digest, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of spiral

Verb

Diaby scored the winner on a nifty shot from outside the box, curling it into the top right corner of the net for his second goal in his eighth MLS match.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin, meanwhile, became the first American team to win a medal in Olympic mixed doubles curling, taking silver.

— Preston Fore, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of curl

Verb

Rising global demand to extract battery metals like cobalt, nickel, and manganese makes mining increasingly likely.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026
Both the driver and semi were taken to the Newton-Azrak Station in Murrieta, where hazardous response specialists extracted the liquid contents from the tank, which tested positive for meth, the release said.

— Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of extract

Verb

Even after this week's Houthi attack on a Saudi Aramco facility, WTI is coiled in a tight triangle between falling resistance in the low 100s and rising support near 90.

— Todd Gordon, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026
The song stays coiled, neither tightening its grip nor exploding into noise.

— Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of coil

Verb

As the party winded down, guests plucked final bites off silver platters and marveled at how tall Skarsgård truly is in person—his nearly six-foot-five frame barely fit under the bar’s low ceilings.

— Kenneal Patterson, Vanity Fair, 14 Oct. 2026
Starring alongside Amell is a slew of objectively hot influencers and models plucked straight off the TikTok FYP, including Noah Beck, Olivia Dunne, and Brooks Nader.

— Isabella Albaig, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of pluck

Verb

Produced by Awesomeness Films, the movie then embarked on a winding journey to release after Viacom bought Awesomeness and eventually merged with CBS.

— Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026
The estate’s outdoor spaces are equally inviting, with covered walkways winding through the picturesque grounds and connecting a deep oval swimming pool, an outdoor kitchen, and a bocce court.

— Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of wind

Verb

Animators studied ostriches before feeding their digital movement curves into a six-axis mechanical rig carrying the performers.

— Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
The tangle of stubby points stood out like overgrown thumbs, and the down-curving prongs on either side of his head were at least a foot long.

— Al Dawson, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of curve

Browse Nearby Words

corks

corkscrew

corkscrewed

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Corkscrew.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/corkscrew. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of corkscrew

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes