TWISTS Synonyms: 225 Similar and Opposite Words

twists 1 of 2

noun

plural of twist

as in twistings

a forceful rotating or pulling motion for the purpose of dislodging something with a forceful twist she loosened the bolt

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Relevance

as in tricks

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

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conformities

twists

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of twist

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

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as in curls

to follow a circular or spiral course the path gently twisted down the hill

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straightens

as in turns

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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as in pulls

to move by or as if by a forceful rotation kept twisting the cap until it came free

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as in squirms

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

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as in weaves

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 twists

Noun

They’ve been assembled for a brain-breaker of a misfired melodrama, at first darkly amusing, before plunging headlong into soap opera-style twists and a general sense of heavy depression that no one can shake. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 14 Sep. 2026 The beloved original delivered plenty of twists, thrills, and chills, courtesy of director Griffin Dunne and Alice Hoffman, who wrote the novels the 1998 and 2026 films are based on. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Sep. 2026 Related Stories Without spoiling the often jaw-dropping twists, Giuliano, who both wrote and directed the feature, has made a must-see film for genre fans. — William Earl, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026 In that analysis, senior columnist Louis Jacobson recounted the series of twists that led to the current state of affairs. — Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 10 Sep. 2026 Filmed largely in secret over three years, the nearly three-hour doc is an inside view of Holmes’ final weeks before going to prison, then mutates into reenactments and mind-bending twists that meld reality and performance. — Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026 Texas barbecue is typically defined by salt-and-pepper brisket and pork ribs, but this new crop of halal pitmasters is adding inventive twists, often based on their own family heritages. — Ulaa Kuziez, NPR, 6 Sep. 2026 In the beginning, the tension builds quite well as Nessa tries to understand her terrifying circumstances, but after the first major reveal, there aren’t many twists to keep the audience on their toes. — Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026 That's just the first of several twists in the thriller Fuze, which gallops along at a mile a minute. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 4 Sep. 2026

Verb

As our journey continues, the road twists through apocalyptic terrain until, out of nowhere, life reappears. — Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026 As the action alternates between Lotte’s adventure and Emil’s childhood in the former Yugoslavia, twists abound. — Monitor Reviewers, Christian Science Monitor, 21 Aug. 2026 West Cliff Drive is a road that twists and curves along Santa Cruz’s coastline, with dramatic cliffs and stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, SFGate previously reported. — David Chiu, PEOPLE, 18 Aug. 2026 Throughout the special, Scovel repeatedly invites his viewers to see his act in one way, twists the material back on itself, and then mock-angrily confronts the crowd for their inappropriate reaction. — Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026 But some of what twists in Season 3 is the soundscape, which Condal wanted to have a slightly different, more unstable character. — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 2026 Instead, its body twists and its legs kick as someone reaches toward it. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026 Always have a backup plan in case the child is not into it, twists an ankle or has a meltdown. — Judy Koutsky, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 Alicia Keys has made braids, cornrows, and twists a signature part of her evolving beauty look throughout her career. — Sunnah Rasheed, InStyle, 23 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for twists

Noun

Pisces February 19 – March 20 When home tugs, work needs kinder structure.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 16 Sep. 2026
Firefly Aerospace started as a launch company and now builds Moon landers and space tugs.

— Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of tugs

Noun

There’s an almost comically blasé way in which the performers — who are used to such spectacles — go about their work an hour before thousands of audience members will gasp and clap at the same tricks.

— Jenelle Riley, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
But when there isn’t a live event, the venue has been developing a slate of original programming that can run all day and night, with a few 4D tricks up its sleeve too.

— Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of tricks

Verb

Because of its large field of view, the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will help researchers better understand dark matter by capturing how the phenomenon's gravity bends light and distorts a galaxy's shape.

— Matthew Glasser, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026
Saliva collects at the mouthpiece and distorts the notes, making the blasts sound hoarse and off-pitch.

— Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of distorts

Verb

That in turn feeds ‘The Ticker’, the basic on-screen representation of the score and ‘The Computer’, another programme that turns that raw information into the more intricate graphics that appear on the screen.

— Nick Miller, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Teaching students to actively hunt for where logic breaks turns them from passive consumers into sharp, critical evaluators of AI systems.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of turns

Verb

As family members mill about, Carter pulls them into the eye of his orbit.

— Jason Parham, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Samsung Curved Gaming Monitor Deal The Samsung Odyssey G55C pulls you right into the center of the action with its immersive 1000R curved VA panel.

— Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of pulls

Verb

The 420 Sport jostles and squirms on these surfaces at low speeds, but the payoff is unfiltered, no-nonsense feedback.

— Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 22 July 2026
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

Definition of squirms

Verb

Her narrative weaves together two genres she has long been known for, crime fiction and science fiction, and continues Mandel's explorations of chaos, identity, impermanence and transcendence.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026
Try the Whiteside Mountain jaunt, which weaves up 750-foot-tall cliffs, or hike a stretch along the 2,200-mile Appalachian National Scenic Trail, which leads to viewpoints like Wesser Bald Fire Tower.

— Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 10 Sep. 2026