1
as in twistings
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 tricks
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 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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in curls
to follow a circular or spiral course
the path gently twisted down the hill
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
4
as in pulls
to move by or as if by a forceful rotation
kept twisting the cap until it came free
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in squirms
to make jerky or restless movements
the dental patient twisted nervously in the chair
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in weaves
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 twists
Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 22 May 2026
The 52-year-old actress was the picture of elegance in a black gown that featured some twists by way of a one-arm design, cascading shoulder detail, dangerously high slit that soared up to her hip, cinched waist, and two huge floral appliqués.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 21 May 2026
But the upside is a breeziness that keeps the ten 40-ish minute chapters flying by, buoyed by sharp jokes and propelled by clever twists.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 20 May 2026
The goals are broadly the same for Flight 12, with a few twists.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 20 May 2026
Everything from trees to octopuses bends and twists.
—New Atlas, 19 May 2026
The backstory Nay Palad’s prologue has so many twists and turns; a book has been written about it (look up Not For Sale by the resort’s Belgian-German founder and former professional football player Robert Dekeyser).
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 May 2026
In many of the clips, Sawyer can be seen being launched several feet into the air while performing flips, twists and one-arm stunt combinations that leave viewers both impressed and horrified in the comments.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026
Subsequent years included twists like a requirement to stop at any roller skating rink along the route and skate 40 laps (still dressed in costume, of course).
—Kristin Shaw, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
Fanny Guénon Des Mesnards, Architectural Digest, 12 May 2026
In this cheeky iteration, romance will meet reality as the Islanders are faced with both team and couples’ challenges, all while navigating dating, eliminations, recoupling, dramatic arrivals, and new competition twists and turns that help control the game like never before.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 11 May 2026
In this cheeky iteration, romance will meet reality as the Islanders face both team and couples’ challenges, all while navigating dating, eliminations, recoupling, dramatic arrivals, and new competition twists and turns that help control the game like never before.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 11 May 2026
Cruise the 17-mile Pumpkinvine Nature Trail, which twists and turns to resemble a pumpkin vine.
—Sarah Miller, Midwest Living, 29 Apr. 2026
Protein folding is the process by which the chain twists into a precise three-dimensional shape, and that final shape determines what the protein actually does.
—Gerald Bradshaw, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
And you’re also reminded that such things are still tainted, even if the movie twists itself into knots to circumvent such thinking, and the level of innocence required to listen to those hits is long gone.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 21 Apr. 2026
In place of drums is a constant floor of undulating synth bass, which sometimes twists itself into the treble range but mostly functions as the x-axis to the percussion’s y in the vast lattice structure that supports this music.
—Daniel Bromfield, Pitchfork, 9 Apr. 2026
Within minutes of leaving town, the pavement twists downward through tight turns and steep grades as the mountain air begins to warm, the vegetation giving way to chaparral and scattered juniper, then to the stark silhouettes of ocotillo and Mojave yucca.
—Josh Jackson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Noun
Off Campus uses the messy lives of these athletes to explore romance tropes like fake-dating plots, enemies-to-lovers twists, secret relationships, and more.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 22 May 2026
The 52-year-old actress was the picture of elegance in a black gown that featured some twists by way of a one-arm design, cascading shoulder detail, dangerously high slit that soared up to her hip, cinched waist, and two huge floral appliqués.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 21 May 2026
But the upside is a breeziness that keeps the ten 40-ish minute chapters flying by, buoyed by sharp jokes and propelled by clever twists.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 20 May 2026
The goals are broadly the same for Flight 12, with a few twists.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 20 May 2026
Everything from trees to octopuses bends and twists.
—New Atlas, 19 May 2026
The backstory Nay Palad’s prologue has so many twists and turns; a book has been written about it (look up Not For Sale by the resort’s Belgian-German founder and former professional football player Robert Dekeyser).
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 May 2026
In many of the clips, Sawyer can be seen being launched several feet into the air while performing flips, twists and one-arm stunt combinations that leave viewers both impressed and horrified in the comments.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026
Subsequent years included twists like a requirement to stop at any roller skating rink along the route and skate 40 laps (still dressed in costume, of course).
—Kristin Shaw, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
Verb
In the entrance hall, Viola’s video Bodies of Light plays next to a staircase that twists upwards like a ribbon.
—Fanny Guénon Des Mesnards, Architectural Digest, 12 May 2026
In this cheeky iteration, romance will meet reality as the Islanders are faced with both team and couples’ challenges, all while navigating dating, eliminations, recoupling, dramatic arrivals, and new competition twists and turns that help control the game like never before.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 11 May 2026
In this cheeky iteration, romance will meet reality as the Islanders face both team and couples’ challenges, all while navigating dating, eliminations, recoupling, dramatic arrivals, and new competition twists and turns that help control the game like never before.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 11 May 2026
Cruise the 17-mile Pumpkinvine Nature Trail, which twists and turns to resemble a pumpkin vine.
—Sarah Miller, Midwest Living, 29 Apr. 2026
Protein folding is the process by which the chain twists into a precise three-dimensional shape, and that final shape determines what the protein actually does.
—Gerald Bradshaw, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
And you’re also reminded that such things are still tainted, even if the movie twists itself into knots to circumvent such thinking, and the level of innocence required to listen to those hits is long gone.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 21 Apr. 2026
In place of drums is a constant floor of undulating synth bass, which sometimes twists itself into the treble range but mostly functions as the x-axis to the percussion’s y in the vast lattice structure that supports this music.
—Daniel Bromfield, Pitchfork, 9 Apr. 2026
Within minutes of leaving town, the pavement twists downward through tight turns and steep grades as the mountain air begins to warm, the vegetation giving way to chaparral and scattered juniper, then to the stark silhouettes of ocotillo and Mojave yucca.
—Josh Jackson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for twists
Noun
-
As his tricks progressed, the Young Man felt horrified and confused at the same time.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
-
From that moment on, people in Cuba have been unable to access El Estornudo except through technological tricks like VPNs and proxies that alter their geolocation.—
Abraham Jiménez Enoa,
The Dial,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
The paper burns away when fired in the kiln, leaving a structure that slumps and distorts under the effects of heat and gravity.—
Lily Templeton,
Footwear News,
12 May 2026
-
But the idea that an AI bot can determine a verdict by assessing evidence distorts the meaning of legal judgment.—
Sonali Chakravarti,
The Conversation,
5 May 2026
Verb
-
Another turns downtown into Taste of Black Harrisburg, with food vendors, live mural painting, music, comedy, and chef demonstrations taking over the block.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
14 May 2026
-
The device turns virtually any liquid into a frosty drink within 20 to 30 minutes — with a couple of exceptions.—
Clint Davis,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
The aesthetic pulls from track jackets, vintage soccer kits, and club jerseys styled casually.—
Tiana Randall,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
-
This list pulls from Charlotte Observer staff and a social post asking for community feedback.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
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
Verb
-
Filled with dark humor, Zhang’s satire slyly weaves in observations about race, privilege, and social media.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
-
The film weaves together two parallel narratives across two time periods.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
Gravity from huge superclusters tugs on the motions of galaxies across the universe, drawing them closer.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
4 May 2026
-
Video of the pair's initial greeting at the White House on Monday is circulating online, showing the president firmly grasping hands with the monarch, and giving a few characteristic tugs.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Jean-Claude Manuguerra, who heads Pasteur's Environment and Infectious Risk unit, said the remaining variation appeared to reflect natural viral variation and did not seem to affect the characteristics of the virus detected among travelers.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
16 May 2026
-
Flock Safety's license plate reader technology captures vehicle information, including license plates and vehicle characteristics such as make, model and color on the property.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Twists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/twists. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
