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
Relevance
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to curl
to follow a circular or spiral course
the path gently twisted down the hill
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
4
5
as in to twitch
to make jerky or restless movements
the dental patient twisted nervously in the chair
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 4 June 2026
Unintended consequences of Prop 50 The election night twist was just the latest way in which the 6th District has exemplified the confusing political game of musical chairs unleashed by Prop 50’s passage.
—Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026
Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Don’t twist or wiggle it and follow up by washing the area with soap and clean water.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for twist
Noun
What a weird, crazy twist in life.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 4 June 2026
Unintended consequences of Prop 50 The election night twist was just the latest way in which the 6th District has exemplified the confusing political game of musical chairs unleashed by Prop 50’s passage.
—Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026
Verb
Their limbs twist beyond their normal range of motion.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Don’t twist or wiggle it and follow up by washing the area with soap and clean water.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for twist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for twist
Noun
-
And are there any tips and tricks for planning and executing the perfect anti-aging trip?—
Alessandra Signorelli,
Vogue,
29 May 2026
-
Since Hathaway's viral video, people have posted themselves doing her trick, sometimes to shocking results.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Mercury’s clash with Neptune distorts the reality of a situation.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
-
The mold shapes itself into a tall biped that resembles a stick figure or distorted skeleton.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
French defender Benjamin Pavard struck a perfect outside-of-the-foot diagonal half-volley from the edge of the penalty area, and the ball curled past the diving goalkeeper into the far corner of the net.—
Gitanjali Roy,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
3 June 2026
-
Another indicator of ripeness is the tendril (the curling bit of vine), which will turn dry and brown when the melon is ready to harvest.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
Silencing Highlanders hitters Carson junior Isabella Campos effectively spun her curve ball and kept Granada Hills off balance.—
Ethan Hanson,
Daily News,
30 May 2026
-
Unlike storms in the Atlantic basin, most storms that form in the Pacific don't ever threaten land and often spin harmlessly out to sea.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
Roberts pulled Sasaki with runners on first and second in the sixth.—
Liana Handler,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
-
Tovar ambushed Kilian’s first offering, pulling a two-run homer over the left-field fence to hand the Giants their fourth straight loss.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
Many a club’s board would have twitched in the face of the bare data, but the chain of command above Arteta stayed the course, and the FOMO is so high that tickets for Palace away this weekend are going for £45,000 ($60,000) on resale sites.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
-
It’s not made explicitly clear if these seemingly sympathetic kids are actually his worst bullies, but Machado-Graner’s eyes, lip twitch, and throat gulp in this short sequence tell a whole story in themselves.—
Josh Slater-Williams,
IndieWire,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
That vision came to life during the festival that followed the walk; attendees danced to live music and children weaved through the crowd waving pride flags.—
Hannah Elsmore,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 May 2026
-
Lawmakers can also find ways to weave their policies into other bills that may not bear their names.—
Elliott Wenzler,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
Output and downtime tug hard as the intuitive Moon activates your 6th House of Work and Health, opposing fiery Mars in your 12th House of Solitude.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
28 May 2026
-
Your 2nd House of Resources faces a tug as temperamental Moon opposes aching Chiron in your 8th House of Intimacy and Resources, asking for careful boundaries.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Twist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/twist. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
