Twist (Verb)
Meaning 1
Extend in curves and turns; "The road winds around the lake"; "the path twisted through the forest".
Classification
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations.
Examples
- The narrow creek twisted through the dense undergrowth as it made its way down to the river.
- The road twisted uphill, its hairpin bends challenging even the most experienced drivers.
- The tree branches twisted in gnarled and impossible directions, a testament to the harsh conditions.
- The hiking trail twisted its way through the rocky terrain, requiring hikers to be extremely agile.
- The vines twisted around the old trellis, creating a beautiful display of blooming flowers.
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Meaning 2
To move in a twisting or contorted motion, (especially when struggling); "The prisoner writhed in discomfort"; "The child tried to wriggle free from his aunt's embrace".
Classification
Verbs of walking, flying, swimming.
Examples
- The wrestler twist and turn in the ring, desperately trying to break free from his opponent's hold.
- As the hikers navigated the dense forest, the thorny vines twist around their boots, slowing their progress.
- The child tried to twist out of her grandmother's grasp, but she was too quick.
- The fish twist and writhe on the deck, its scales glistening in the sunlight.
- The boy tried to twist free from the blanket that had become tangled around his legs.
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Meaning 3
Turn in the opposite direction; "twist one's head".
Classification
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging.
Examples
- She had to twist her head in a peculiar angle to see what was written on the blackboard.
- As the car approached the intersection, the driver had to twist the wheel sharply to avoid the oncoming vehicle.
- Twist your body to face the other direction so I can take your picture.
- The gymnast had to twist her body 180 degrees to execute the difficult move.
- To see the beautiful view, you have to twist your body slightly to the right and look through the window.
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Meaning 4
Practice sophistry; change the meaning of or be vague about in order to mislead or deceive; "Don't twist my words".
Classification
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing.
Examples
- She's trying to twist the facts to fit her theory.
- Don't twist my words, I never said that I supported the idea.
- The politician was accused of twisting the research findings to suit his agenda.
- He's good at twisting the conversation to make himself look good.
- The salesperson tried to twist the warranty details to make the purchase sound more appealing.
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Meaning 5
Cause (a plastic object) to assume a crooked or angular form; "bend the rod"; "twist the dough into a braid"; "the strong man could turn an iron bar".
Classification
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging.
Examples
- She carefully twisted the warm plastic rod into a hook shape.
- The kids tried to twist the wire coat hanger into a sculpture.
- He quickly twisted the rope into a secure knot.
- The master craftsman began to twist the molten glass into an intricate vase.
- She twisted the aluminium pipe to fit it through the tight space.
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Meaning 6
Form into a spiral shape; "The cord is all twisted".
Classification
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging.
Examples
- The rope began to twist in the air as it unwound from the spool.
- Her long hair seemed to twist naturally into tight curls at the ends.
- Over time, the vines had begun to twist around the metal trellis.
- As I dried the towel, I noticed the thread was about to twist and eventually snap.
- The pipe cleaner began to twist around itself as the child played with it.
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Meaning 7
Twist suddenly so as to sprain; "wrench one's ankle"; "The wrestler twisted his shoulder"; "the hikers sprained their ankles when they fell"; "I turned my ankle and couldn't walk for several days".
Classification
Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care.
Examples
- She twisted her ankle while playing soccer and had to be carried off the field.
- He twisted his knee when he fell off the skateboard and now he's limping.
- Playing basketball was too strenuous for her and she twisted her ankle after landing awkwardly.
- When she stepped on the uneven pavement, she twisted her ankle and cried out in pain.
- During the intense football game, he accidentally twisted his ankle and could barely stand.
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Meaning 8
Do the twist.
Classification
Verbs of walking, flying, swimming.
Examples
- She loved to twist on the dance floor whenever her favorite song came on.
- The dance instructor taught the students how to twist in unison to the rhythm.
- The energetic singer encouraged the audience to twist and shout to the music.
- He carefully learned to twist and turn his body as part of the choreographed dance routine.
- As a teenager in the 1960s, she would twist with her friends at the local sock hop every week.
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Meaning 9
Form into twists; "Twist the strips of dough".
Classification
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc..
Examples
- Twist the strips of dough into rope-like strands to create a decorative border for the bread.
- Twist the mozzarella strings to seal in the filling of the cheese stick.
- Twist each piece of licorice rope into a knot to create fun shapes for the candy buffet.
- Twist the ends of the pastry to keep the filling from escaping during baking.
- Twist the lengthy strips of dough to fashion an artisanal garlic knot.
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Meaning 10
Twist or pull violently or suddenly, especially so as to remove (something) from that to which it is attached or from where it originates; "wrench a window off its hinges"; "wrench oneself free from somebody's grip"; "a deep sigh was wrenched from his chest".
Classification
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging.
Examples
- The strong wind twisted the roof off the building.
- She twisted the lid off the jar to get to the cookies inside.
- The wrestlers clashed, each trying to twist the other to the mat.
- The accident caused a piece of metal to twist off from the car's body.
- He twisted the knife as deep as it would go.