twist 1 of 2

noun

Definition of twistnext
1
as in twisting
a forceful rotating or pulling motion for the purpose of dislodging something with a forceful twist she loosened the bolt

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2
as in trick
an odd or peculiar habit my roommate has his little twists, and I have mine, so things should balance out

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twist

2 of 2

verb

ˈtwist How to pronounce twist (audio)
1
as in to distort
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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2
as in to curl
to follow a circular or spiral course the path gently twisted down the hill

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3
as in to spin
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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4
as in to pull
to move by or as if by a forceful rotation kept twisting the cap until it came free

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5
as in to twitch
to make jerky or restless movements the dental patient twisted nervously in the chair

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6
as in to weave
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 twist
Noun
The Hanson sideboard from Lulu and Georgia winks at the apothecary cabinets of the 1940s, but adds a decidedly modern twist with a grid-cut relief facade. — Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 24 July 2026 In a noticeable twist, ESPN will produce the championship series, something AUSL has done on its own in its short past. — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 23 July 2026
Verb
Simply twist out the old drain, drop the new one in, and push it down to fit it snugly. — Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 30 June 2026 Clark survived that threat of twisting her ankle. — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 27 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for twist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for twist
  1. tug
  2. trick
  3. distort
  4. curl
  5. spin
  6. pull
  7. twitch
  8. weave
Noun
  • The counselor at the helm of the Hobie stood up and tried to alert the tug crew before impact, prosecutors say.
    — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 21 July 2026
  • Trajectories are shaped by the force of a micrometeoroid's expulsion from the comet's nucleus, along with the gentle push of radiation from the sun and the gravitational tug of the planets.
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of tug
Noun
  • The trick is to raise it anyway, at every age, for whatever chapter comes next.
    — Barbara Bry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 July 2026
  • When Not To Use It As clever as this trick is, experts caution against trying to stretch it beyond its intended purpose.
    — Alesandra Dubin, Southern Living, 25 July 2026
Definition of trick
Verb
  • That energy turns into heat, warping the mirror's surface by just a few nanometers, enough to distort the laser beam and reduce the observatory's overall sensitivity.
    — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 25 July 2026
  • This disparity incentivizes hospital consolidation, inflates costs for taxpayers and beneficiaries, and distorts care delivery.
    — Richard Menger MD MPA, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of distort
Verb
  • The recent action in its RSI is confirming our bullish thesis and the MACD is curling positive, nearing a buy signal.
    — Jay Woods, CNBC, 23 July 2026
  • The issues were printed on recycled paper, and because the house in Stromness flanked the port’s harbor, the constant wetness had slightly curled their pages.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 July 2026
Definition of curl
Verb
  • Rather than a concert, Benton envisioned the evening as a community dance party featuring four veteran Kansas City DJs spinning classic funk, R&B and early hip-hop.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 22 July 2026
  • Hurricanes are predicted to grow stronger and spin up faster, too, having a more damaging effect.
    — Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
Definition of spin
Verb
  • The captain, Giorgos Georgidakis, is pulling souvlaki off the boat’s grill while his niece, Sofia, passes me plates of spanakopita made by her grandmother to bring ashore.
    — Yulia Denisyuk, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 July 2026
  • Both stocks posted record closes last week, before pulling back in recent sessions.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 22 July 2026
Definition of pull
Verb
  • There is something cultish about that idea — the player who tends not to start but has the knack to appear later on with antennae twitching, ready to seize the day and alter the course of a match.
    — Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 21 June 2026
  • Leon Stetson was allegedly twitching, so officers moved him away from Carrie Stetson and started to render medical aid.
    — Kellie Love, Hartford Courant, 12 June 2026
Definition of twitch
Verb
  • Under the supervision of a local artisan, guests sit cross-legged on a carpet beneath a large tree and weave their own small version of the bed.
    — Emese Maczko, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • The superintendent served as master of ceremonies, with performers weaving around him, cameos by celebrities, and slide projections and film sequences appearing on cue to supplement his applause and laugh lines.
    — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026
Definition of weave

Phrases Containing twist

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twirls
twist
twisted
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Cite this Entry

“Twist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/twist. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on twist

Nglish: Translation of twist for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about twist

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