twisted; twisting; twists
1
a
: to unite by winding
twisting strands together
b
: to make by twisting strands together
twist thread from yarn
c
: to mingle by interlacing
3
a
: to wring or wrench so as to dislocate or distort
c
: contort
twisted his face into a grin
d
: to pull off, turn, or break by torsion
twist the nut off the bolt
e
: to cause to move with a turning motion
twisted her chair to face the fire
f
: to form into a spiral shape
g
: to cause to take on moral, mental, or emotional deformity
celebrity has twisted their sense of decorum
h
: to make (one's way) in a winding or devious manner to a destination or objective
1
: to follow a winding course : snake
2
3
of a ball
: to rotate while taking a curving path or direction
4
: turn sense 3a
twisted around to see behind him
1
b
: a dance performed with strenuous gyrations especially of the hips
c
: the spin given the ball in any of various games
d
: a spiral turn or curve
e(1)
: torque or torsional stress applied to a body (such as a rod or shaft)
(2)
: torsional strain
(3)
: the angle through which a thing is twisted
2
a
: a turning off a straight course
b
c
: a distortion of meaning or sense
3
4
: something formed by twisting or winding: such as
a
: a strip of citrus peel used to flavor a drink
b
: a baked piece of twisted dough
c
: a thread, yarn, or cord formed by twisting two or more strands together
d
: a strong tightly twisted sewing silk
e
: tobacco leaves twisted into a thick roll
5
: a front or back dive in which the diver twists sideways a half or full turn before entering the water
Synonyms
Examples of twist in a Sentence
Verb
The toy can be twisted into different shapes.
She twisted balloons into the shapes of different animals.
The antenna was twisted out of shape.
The car was a heap of twisted metal after the accident.
He twists his lip into an odd expression when he's thinking.
twist the dials on the radio
The bottle cap twists off.
Noun
a simple twist of the wrist
The jar should open with a twist of the lid.
The road has some nasty twists.
The coastal road had many twists and turns.
It was a film noir with some clever twists.
In an unusual twist, the police arrested one of their own.
They were brought together by a strange twist of fate.
Recent Examples on the Web
Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
Jerky movements — twisting the wheel suddenly or slamming your foot on the brake or gas pedal — can throw your vehicle into a skid.
—Jade Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 20 Dec. 2024
Katy Spratte Joyce, Travel + Leisure, 25 Dec. 2024
Since making her first appearance alongside the British royal family to attend the traditional Christmas Day service at Sandringham in 2011, Kate Middleton has always brought elegant fashion with a festive twist to the event.
—Liam Hess, Vogue, 25 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for twist 
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Verb
Taking the classic holiday tale as the base, this episode twists it.
—Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
Jerky movements — twisting the wheel suddenly or slamming your foot on the brake or gas pedal — can throw your vehicle into a skid.
—Jade Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 20 Dec. 2024
Noun
Spanx put its cozy twist on the classic sweater dress silhouette with its oh-so-soft AirEssentials Fabric, creating an almost sweatshirt-like comfort.
—Katy Spratte Joyce, Travel + Leisure, 25 Dec. 2024
Since making her first appearance alongside the British royal family to attend the traditional Christmas Day service at Sandringham in 2011, Kate Middleton has always brought elegant fashion with a festive twist to the event.
—Liam Hess, Vogue, 25 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for twist
Dictionary Entries Near twist
Cite this Entry
“Twist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/twist. Accessed 28 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
twist
1 of 2 verb1
: to unite by winding one thread, strand, or wire around another
3
a
: to turn so as to sprain or hurt
twisted my ankle
b
: to change the meaning of
twisted the facts
c
: to pull off, rotate, or break by a turning force
twisted a small branch off the tree
4
: to follow a winding course
twist
2 of 2 noun1
: a thread, yarn, or cord made by twisting two or more strands together
2
: an act of twisting : the state of being twisted
3
: a spiral turn or curve
4
: a strong personal tendency : bent
5
: a changing of meaning
6
: something (as a plan of action) that is both surprising and strange
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