twisted
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for twisted, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Bent, wound, or contorted out of its natural shape.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use twisted
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From the verb twist; the literal "bent out of shape" sense came first, and the "mentally disturbed" sense developed by the early 1800s.
Full origin of twisted →Frequently asked questions
What does “twisted” mean?
The word “twisted” means bent, wound, or contorted out of its natural shape. In plain terms, physically bent out of shape, or figuratively disturbed and perverse.
How do you pronounce “twisted”?
“Twisted” is pronounced TWIHS-tihd (/ˈtwɪstɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “twisted” in a sentence?
Here is “twisted” used in a sentence: “The car's twisted metal frame showed the force of the crash.”
What part of speech is “twisted”?
“Twisted” is an adjective.
Where does the word “twisted” come from?
The word “twisted” dates back to around 1800. From the verb twist; the literal "bent out of shape" sense came first, and the "mentally disturbed" sense developed by the early 1800s.
Is “twisted” a common word?
“Twisted” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “twisted” have?
“Twisted” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: bent, wound, or contorted out of its natural shape.
What is the difference between a "twisted ankle" and a "sprained ankle"?
A "twisted ankle" is an everyday phrase for turning or rolling the ankle awkwardly, describing how the injury happened. A "sprained ankle" is the more specific result: stretched or torn ligaments in the joint. A twist often causes a sprain, so the two phrases are frequently used for the same injury.
What is the difference between "twisted" and "warped" when describing a person?
Both use a distorted, bent-out-of-shape image to describe a disturbing or morally wrong mind. "Twisted" suggests something perverse or cruel, while "warped" suggests thinking that has been bent away from what is normal or healthy. They overlap heavily and are often interchangeable in this sense.
What is the difference between "twisted" and "bent"?
In the literal sense, "twisted" means turned or wound out of shape around an axis, while "bent" means curved or angled out of a straight line. Figuratively, both can imply something is not right, though "twisted" leans toward disturbing or perverse and "bent" often implies corruption or dishonesty.