Synonyms of twist

twist 1 of 2

noun

1

as in twisting

a forceful rotating or pulling motion for the purpose of dislodging something

with a forceful twist she loosened the bolt

Synonyms & Similar Words

• twisting
• tug
• wrench
• pull
• wrenching
• wresting
• yank
• wringing
• extraction
• displacement
• dislocation
• draw
• draft

2

as in trick

an odd or peculiar habit

my roommate has his little twists, and I have mine, so things should balance out

Synonyms & Similar Words

• trick
• quirk
• characteristic
• trait
• mannerism
• kink
• eccentricity
• peculiarity
• singularity
• idiosyncrasy
• habit
• oddity
• quip
• tic
• curiosity
• individualism
• crotchet
• erraticism
• tendency
• pattern
• character
• attribute
• attitude
• practice
• way
• personality
• quiddity
• affectation
• property
• custom
• airs
• addiction
• bent
• perversion
• inclination
• penchant
• turn
• humor
• weirdness
• wont
• propensity
• predilection
• proclivity
• abnormality
• predisposition
• identity
• genius
• mark
• nature
• disposition
• individuality
• neuroticism
• temperament
• partiality
• leaning

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• conformity
• sameness

twist

2 of 2

verb

ˈtwist 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• distort
• misrepresent
• slant
• complicate
• pervert
• obscure
• cook
• misinterpret
• bend
• misstate
• falsify
• warp
• color
• fudge
• confuse
• misrelate
• garble
• mistake
• censor
• disguise
• mask
• camouflage
• veil
• gloss (over)
• whitewash
• dissemble
• lie
• mistranslate
• misdescribe
• misspeak
• mystify
• mix (up)
• belie
• confound
• fib
• bowdlerize
• prevaricate
• palter
• equivocate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• explain
• interpret
• illustrate
• clarify
• clear (up)
• spell out
• illuminate
• decipher

2

as in to curl

to follow a circular or spiral course

the path gently twisted down the hill

Synonyms & Similar Words

• curl
• coil
• wind
• curve
• swirl
• spiral
• circle
• entwine
• twine
• weave
• sweep
• turn
• corkscrew
• loop
• arc
• bend
• arch
• whirl
• wheel
• swerve
• crook
• veer
• hook
• bow
• intertwine
• encircle
• bulge
• zigzag
• meander
• interlace
• lace
• enlace

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• straighten

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• spin
• rotate
• turn
• swing
• twirl
• swirl
• swivel
• pivot
• roll
• wheel
• whirl
• revolve
• screw
• crank
• wind
• unscrew
• reel
• coil
• twiddle
• circulate

4

as in to pull

to move by or as if by a forceful rotation

kept twisting the cap until it came free

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pull
• tug
• yank
• pluck
• wrench
• jerk
• wring
• remove
• pry
• extract
• wrest
• tweak
• draw
• lug
• dredge (up)
• lever
• shift
• disturb
• displace
• budge
• transpose
• jimmy
• dislocate
• transfer

5

as in to twitch

to make jerky or restless movements

the dental patient twisted nervously in the chair

Synonyms & Similar Words

• twitch
• toss
• fidget
• squirm
• jerk
• wiggle
• fiddle
• shake
• writhe
• jig
• tremble
• shiver
• jiggle
• wriggle
• thrash
• squiggle
• thresh
• flutter
• shudder
• quiver
• flit
• pace
• quake
• twitter

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rest
• relax
• unwind
• calm (down)
• still

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• weave
• braid
• mix
• intertwine
• blend
• entwine
• ply
• writhe
• implicate
• interweave
• interlace
• wreathe
• inweave
• intertwist
• lace
• plait
• enlace
• fuse
• link
• pleach
• plat
• join

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unwind
• disentangle
• untangle
• uncoil
• untwine

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of twist

Noun

Texas barbecue is typically defined by salt-and-pepper brisket and pork ribs, but this new crop of halal pitmasters are adding inventive twists, often based on their own family heritages. — ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026

Players voluntarily asking out of NFL deals to return to college would be unprecedented, and the latest twist in the NCAA’s ongoing legal battles and enforcement challenges. — Justin Williams, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Verb

Olivia Miles twisted her left ankle in the fourth quarter of the Minnesota Lynx’s 77-66 win against the Golden State Valkyries on Wednesday night. — Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026

However, the inner (dentine) layer of these building blocks twist to the right, while the outer (cementum) layer twists left. — New Atlas, 18 Aug. 2026

Phrases Containing twist

• twist one's arm