twisted

[ twis-tid ]

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 Words From

• twist·ed·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of twisted¹

twist ( def ) + -ed ²( def )

Example Sentences

Seeing how easily Elphaba’s good nature is twisted to fit the agenda of those who seek uniformity and total control is unnervingly parallel to the racist rhetoric so often parroted by conservative mouthpieces.

From Salon

At age 15, Murray was hospitalized for more than two months after his intestines twisted and he required an emergency resection that resulted in post-operative internal bleeding.

From Los Angeles Times

All that is left of the residential building in Beit Lahia is a pile of rubble, with broken concrete and jagged shards of twisted metal sticking out from the ruins.

From BBC

“I have received some guidance to avoid terms, like ‘camps,’ that can be twisted and used against the president, yes,” one Trump ally told the outlet.

From Salon

“Violence is never the answer, and a sick and twisted plan turned into life behind bars for two young men.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• coiled
• complicated
• contorted
• convoluted
• crooked
• curled
• gnarled
• intricate
• tangled
• tortuous
• wry