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

The 2-on-2 drills featured defensive lineman doing twists, which is something that’s troubled the offensive line in both joint practices and preseason games. — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2026 Some fans prefer when the game has fewer twists that disrupt the natural flow of alliances and power structures. — Matt Minton, Variety, 24 Aug. 2026 L’Oréal, the parent company of Redken and Kérastase, developed a curl classification system from a study across 22 countries, studying curl radius, shrinkage ratio, and the number of twists on a hair fiber. — Ava Welsing-Kitcher, Allure, 24 Aug. 2026 Her phone contains a seemingly endless note filled with twists on familiar phrases. — Bryan West, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026 Zeek Biggers has had a solid camp as a five-technique defensive end, and has the potential to pair well with Zach Sieler, who needs someone athletic and savvy enough to execute twists and stunts with. — Omar Kelly august 23, Miami Herald, 23 Aug. 2026 Rachel Gillig has a knack for raising the emotional and fantastical stakes, so expect devastating twists, unforgettable tension and a sequel that’s impossible to put down. — Elizabeth Wellington Rollins, PEOPLE, 23 Aug. 2026 Cool action, great characters, and lots of twists make this a surefire hit. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 21 Aug. 2026 By retracing Berezovska’s footsteps, finding witnesses and hearing from one of the men accused of killing her, CNN has uncovered a tale of violence, strange twists and unanswered questions. — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026

Verb

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 With the franchise’s trademark blend of extreme gore and dark humor, the Evil Dead backstory centers on the ancient Book of the Dead that unleashes supernatural evil forces and twists victims into sadistic, shape-shifting, near-invincible monsters. — Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 21 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for twists

Noun

The European Investment Bank (EIB) estimates that roughly 200 wrecks, including warships, barges, tugs, and cargo vessels, remain scattered across a five-kilometer stretch of the river near Prahovo.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 4 Aug. 2026
Momentus’ spacecraft can also serve as space tugs to ferry smaller satellites or experiments from one orbit to another.

— Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 9 July 2026

Definition of tugs

Noun

Cirque du Soleil’s otherworldly adventure, combining high-flying tricks and underwater artistry, has been reimagined in Shared Reality.

— Mary Caldwell, AJC.com, 25 Aug. 2026
For account takeover, though, getting rid of the six-digit code could take away one of the easiest tricks in a scammer's playbook.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of tricks

Verb

Ask who owns what, adjust the timeline, and make one practical fix before momentum turns messy.

— Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 26 Aug. 2026
Conversations about the ethics of true crime storytelling persist in the space, especially with critics who claim that the genre turns pain into product and entertainment.

— Matt Minton, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of turns

Verb

There’s a fun bit when Green pulls her badge to walk Reacher out through the police cordon, pretending to have placed him under arrest, but the ruse doesn’t last long.

— Chris Klimek, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026
The curvy wood frame and oversized door pulls give the Scandi-centric piece a bit of retro appeal without feeling dated.

— Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 26 Aug. 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

OneWeave suspends thousands of yarns around a central core and weaves them into seamless forms, combining fabric formation with portions of garment assembly.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 20 Aug. 2026
But the styles themselves can introduce their own triggers, from adhesives in wigs and weaves to tension at the hairline from tight braids or twists.

— Ayren Jackson-Cannady, Allure, 20 Aug. 2026