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Synonyms

twisted

American  
[twis-tid] / ˈtwɪs tɪd /

adjective

  1. interwoven or combined by winding together, as strands or threads; formed in this way.

    It was Roebling who invented the twisted wire cable used in bridge supports.

  2. altered in shape by turning the ends in opposite directions, forming a spiral.

    To remove an object from inside the lower eyelid, wet the end of a twisted piece of tissue and touch it to the object.

  3. turned sharply or wrenched out of place; injured in this way.

    I hadn't touched a skateboard in almost a year because of a twisted ankle.

  4. (of a person’s features) distorted or contorted by tensing or contracting the facial muscles.

    He made a twisted face as he bent down to look at the disgusting mess.

  5. (of words) having the meaning distorted or perverted.

    It is a sad day when outright lies and twisted words triumph over truth.

  6. mentally or emotionally distorted; warped.

    It's perverse logic, but it explains how someone with a twisted mind can have a clear conscience.

  7. tortuously bent out of shape.

    The twisted steel wreckage of the sunken ship can be seen in this sonar image.

  8. taking a winding, curving, or bending course.

    Twisted vines curl, bend, and overlap while growing side by side.

    It's by a long and twisted path that I've been led to this moment.


verb

  1. the simple past tense and past participle of twist.

Other Word Forms

  • twistedly adverb

Etymology

Origin of twisted

twist ( def. ) + -ed 2 ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

There was a kind of twisted inevitability with how the Republic of Ireland's fate was sealed after Hallgrimsson revealed in the build-up that his squad would not practise penalties.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

Different superconducting states react in distinct ways when a crystal is stretched, compressed, or twisted.

From Science Daily • Mar. 22, 2026

AFP visited the remote border zone and saw three buildings reduced to rubble, their scorched zinc roofing twisted among the debris.

From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026

Though, like many things Epstein, the man’s genetic interests were twisted, often revolting, and shockingly uninformed.

From Slate • Mar. 19, 2026

A young boy wearing a newsboy cap twisted around and stared at me with an unsmiling look.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu