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
Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 27 Oct. 2025
Expect ego trips and surprising plot twists that push you to release control, but remember what may feel like an ending is really just the beginning of your reinvention.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
To say much more would be to spoil the twisted twists of the plot, in which the director finally applies his affinity for mounting dread to a bona fide horror movie — albeit one characterized by the off-kilter black humor that had become his speciality by that point.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
Alcohol tells a similar tale, though with a few more hopeful twists.
—Jahan Marcu, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
Longoria’s power dressing moment at the Neiman Marcus 2025 fantasy gifts event coincides with several high-profile figures opting for a similar aesthetic with seasonal twists.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2025
Continue alternating hip twists and diagonal knee pulls.
—Mallory Creveling, Health, 22 Oct. 2025
From there, regional twists emerged, like the Kentucky Mule and Tennessee Mule, each using local spirits for a Southern touch.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2025
Starting closer to the trunk of your artificial tree, adjoin a small, real sprig to a fake branch with a few twists of wire.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 20 Oct. 2025
Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 21 Oct. 2025
And now, one such creation slithers, squeezes, and twists through the narrowest corners.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025
As their relationship twists into abuse and control, Darya makes a daring escape — only to discover Sam has ordered her death.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2025
The handle twists at a 90-degree angle to become a high-speed hair dryer, but locked into its upright position, the device converts into a self-winding curling iron, a frizz-smoothing paddle brush, and a volume-building oval brush.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
Having the most would-be glamorous member of the staff drawn into thinking a photo of Josh Holloway represents her new online boyfriend twists Michael Scott–like behavior into something that feels more keyed into this specific world of small-scale media.
—Jesse Hassenger, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
The coach leaps into the game, twists like a dancer, handballs behind him.
—Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025
So what happens if a kid digs a hole in the 12-inch pile of wood chips underneath the playground in the outdoor area of my restaurant, and, an hour later, another child twists or even breaks an ankle?
—Carrie Lukas, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
The road that ribbons through the foothills rises and twists like the tail of a cat.
—Sheri Castle, Southern Living, 31 Aug. 2025
Noun
Related Stories Currently lensing across Portugal’s Sintra and Vila Nova de Foz Côa, the series blends whodunit mechanics with supernatural twists, leavened by dark humor.
—Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 27 Oct. 2025
Expect ego trips and surprising plot twists that push you to release control, but remember what may feel like an ending is really just the beginning of your reinvention.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
To say much more would be to spoil the twisted twists of the plot, in which the director finally applies his affinity for mounting dread to a bona fide horror movie — albeit one characterized by the off-kilter black humor that had become his speciality by that point.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
Alcohol tells a similar tale, though with a few more hopeful twists.
—Jahan Marcu, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
Longoria’s power dressing moment at the Neiman Marcus 2025 fantasy gifts event coincides with several high-profile figures opting for a similar aesthetic with seasonal twists.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2025
Continue alternating hip twists and diagonal knee pulls.
—Mallory Creveling, Health, 22 Oct. 2025
From there, regional twists emerged, like the Kentucky Mule and Tennessee Mule, each using local spirits for a Southern touch.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2025
Starting closer to the trunk of your artificial tree, adjoin a small, real sprig to a fake branch with a few twists of wire.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
Garments construction enhances the story—from wave seams adding a sense of fluidity to structures to knots and twists altering shapes.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 21 Oct. 2025
And now, one such creation slithers, squeezes, and twists through the narrowest corners.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025
As their relationship twists into abuse and control, Darya makes a daring escape — only to discover Sam has ordered her death.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2025
The handle twists at a 90-degree angle to become a high-speed hair dryer, but locked into its upright position, the device converts into a self-winding curling iron, a frizz-smoothing paddle brush, and a volume-building oval brush.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
Having the most would-be glamorous member of the staff drawn into thinking a photo of Josh Holloway represents her new online boyfriend twists Michael Scott–like behavior into something that feels more keyed into this specific world of small-scale media.
—Jesse Hassenger, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
The coach leaps into the game, twists like a dancer, handballs behind him.
—Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025
So what happens if a kid digs a hole in the 12-inch pile of wood chips underneath the playground in the outdoor area of my restaurant, and, an hour later, another child twists or even breaks an ankle?
—Carrie Lukas, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
The road that ribbons through the foothills rises and twists like the tail of a cat.
—Sheri Castle, Southern Living, 31 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for twists
Noun
-
Halloween’s history, from tricks to treats Halloween is rooted in the ancient Celtic ritual of Samhain, marking the harvest and coming winter – and few know the shortcomings of the cold more than Minnesotans.—
Chris Kenning,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Critic Dwight Macdonald later wrote that Keaton’s singular screen-in-screen transformation made similar tricks by Surrealist giants Dalí, Buñuel, and Cocteau timid by comparison.—
Erik Morse,
Vogue,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This imbalance destabilizes democracy, distorts our economy, and limits human potential.—
Scott Ellis,
Time,
17 Oct. 2025
-
It was detected in a process called gravitational lensing, which involves the way its gravity distorts light passing through or near it.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Estonia also provides paid parental leave/benefit that can be used until a child turns three.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
-
To spot the exact moment water turns into exotic ice, scientists used powerful X-ray beams at a synchrotron.—
Pranjal Malewar,
New Atlas,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This sleek propane fire pit pulls double duty as a stylish table for evening chats, s’mores nights, or crisp morning coffees.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Once the pup is close enough, the officer reaches out and pulls him from underneath the train.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
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
-
The film’s seamless structure weaves together elements of folklore, intimate observation and environmental urgency.—
Christian Blauvelt,
IndieWire,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Enjoy tennis, pickleball, and padel courts and perfect your swing on the 18 holes of the Greg Norman–designed El Camaleón Golf Course, which weaves through jungle, canals, and coastline.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Less obvious is how the Earth itself tugs at the solid rocky surface of the moon.—
Nola Taylor Tillman,
Space.com,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Throughout his time at the Palace, several women have reported feeling tugs on their hair or having the sensation that someone is lingering right over their shoulder.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
As America’s capital of both wine production and pleasant weather, California has any number of towns that capture this experience, each with distinguishing characteristics that suit different types of travelers.—
Justin Goldman,
AFAR Media,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Sadly, the Volvo EX30 missed its moment to be great, but retains some appealing characteristics.—
Mark Phelan,
Freep.com,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Twists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/twists. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share