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
Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026 The lawsuit and letter are the latest twists in what’s been a dramatic month for West Suburban. —Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026 And there are a lot of twists in it that keep you on your toes. —Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026 The story of a high school delinquent turned basketball player is wildly addictive, with a rich supporting cast and tons of plot twists. —K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 10 Apr. 2026 Festivals have recognized that, while K-pop broke a lot of ground, many other countries have distinct twists on the formula worth exploring. —Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026 Inflatable tents really took off in the 2010s, wowing gear fanatics with unique twists like geodesic domes, amphibious camping capabilities, modular camp compounds, and even death-defying high-altitude sleeping platforms. —New Atlas, 9 Apr. 2026 There’s romance, but there’s definitely a lot of horror and twists. —Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2026 The Colorado Rockies are rolling out a lineup of new food offerings ahead of Opening Day, featuring everything from oversized hot dogs to inventive twists on classic ballpark staples. —Jasmine Arenas, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
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 The show’s ending twists a wedding-day nightmare into something far stranger than a simple curse story — and the rules governing who lives and who dies are easy to miss. —Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2026 As the investigation twists and intensifies, Izzy is forced to confront her own compulsions and the personal cost of her pursuit of justice. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2026 The nectar base twists off smoothly for quick refills, and a metal hanger is included for simple setup. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026 The law protects styles such as braids, locks, Afros and twists from discrimination. —Jamal Goss, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026 Villain twists, though, unsettle the viewers. —Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2026 Fitting windows 24 to 36 inches, this rod easily twists into place and can hold up to seven pounds, meaning even heavier curtains will stay put. —Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 11 Feb. 2026
Noun
Even in the harshest descriptions of the violence and almost unbelievably cruel twists of fate that Yarris endured (the DNA testing keeps getting accidentally mucked up), Brody lends him a vital indomitable spark. —Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026 The lawsuit and letter are the latest twists in what’s been a dramatic month for West Suburban. —Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026 And there are a lot of twists in it that keep you on your toes. —Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026 The story of a high school delinquent turned basketball player is wildly addictive, with a rich supporting cast and tons of plot twists. —K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 10 Apr. 2026 Festivals have recognized that, while K-pop broke a lot of ground, many other countries have distinct twists on the formula worth exploring. —Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026 Inflatable tents really took off in the 2010s, wowing gear fanatics with unique twists like geodesic domes, amphibious camping capabilities, modular camp compounds, and even death-defying high-altitude sleeping platforms. —New Atlas, 9 Apr. 2026 There’s romance, but there’s definitely a lot of horror and twists. —Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2026 The Colorado Rockies are rolling out a lineup of new food offerings ahead of Opening Day, featuring everything from oversized hot dogs to inventive twists on classic ballpark staples. —Jasmine Arenas, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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 The show’s ending twists a wedding-day nightmare into something far stranger than a simple curse story — and the rules governing who lives and who dies are easy to miss. —Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2026 As the investigation twists and intensifies, Izzy is forced to confront her own compulsions and the personal cost of her pursuit of justice. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2026 The nectar base twists off smoothly for quick refills, and a metal hanger is included for simple setup. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026 The law protects styles such as braids, locks, Afros and twists from discrimination. —Jamal Goss, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026 Villain twists, though, unsettle the viewers. —Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2026 Fitting windows 24 to 36 inches, this rod easily twists into place and can hold up to seven pounds, meaning even heavier curtains will stay put. —Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 11 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for twists
Noun
-
From fusion tapas restaurants to a minor league baseball team, Dunedin has plenty of delightful tricks up its sleeve.— Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 20 Apr. 2026
-
On a recent thread on the r/GLP1microdosing subreddit, women shared their tips and tricks for hiding medication from their partners.— Rebecca Flint Marx, SELF, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Obadia sees the Optimus question as evidence of how the racial framing itself distorts perception.— Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 8 Apr. 2026
-
To equate the suffering of Jesus with the circumstances of any political leader distorts the Gospel beyond recognition.— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Whip turns 100 years old at Kennywood The 25th anniversary of the Phantom's Revenge isn't the only milestone for one of the park's ride, however, as the Whip is turning 100 years old this year.— Mike Darnay, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
-
Mulligan delivers lacerating fragility, while Isaac turns Josh’s accommodating nature into a pathology, but both characters are littered with backstory details that Beef leaves hanging.— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Her The Kindred’s Curse Saga series follows healer Diem Bellator as the search for her missing mother pulls her into a growing civil war between the oppressed mortals of Emarion and the magic-wielding demigods known as the Descended.— Denise Petski, Deadline, 17 Apr. 2026
-
Brown again pulls his hands away from the cops before Maden starts punching him.— Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 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
-
Kurtsie is small enough to walk under Bakari’s legs and frequently weaves between them — a sight that draws smiles from guests passing through the overlook.— Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026
-
Romvari weaves some documentary into the picture; these social workers, including one who worked directly with her family, are real people.— Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In space, the gravitational tugs from passing planets act like those currents.— Patrick M. Shober, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2026
-
The research builds on earlier work where robotic guide dogs responded to physical cues like leash tugs.— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The unusual characteristics of dark matter have prompted scientists to search beyond the standard model of particle physics for particles that could comprise it.— Robert Lea, Space.com, 10 Apr. 2026
-
This is particularly important for individuals who have concealed their characteristics and do not meet the autism or ADHD descriptions.— Gretchen Wittenmyer-Stone, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Twists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/twists. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
