# twisting

/ˈtwɪstɪŋ/ (US) · /twˈɪstɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/twisting
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. winding or curving

adjective · CEFR B1

having many turns or curves rather than being straight.

For teachers: characterised by many turns, bends, or curves; winding.

- The twisting road through the mountains made several passengers feel sick.
- The hikers followed a twisting trail that clung to the cliffside, offering dramatic views of the valley below at every bend.

### 2. the act of turning

noun · CEFR B2

the action of turning or bending something out of its natural shape.

For teachers: the action of rotating, spiralling, or distorting something by applying torque.

- With a hard twisting of the handle, he finally managed to open the old door.
- The structural failure was caused by the constant twisting of the metal beams under high wind pressure.

### 3. unethical insurance sales

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Formal

the dishonest practice of tricking someone into changing their insurance just so the salesperson makes money.

For teachers: the unethical practice of inducing a policyholder to lapse or surrender an existing policy and replace it with a new one to generate commission.

- The agent was investigated for twisting after several clients complained about unnecessary new policies.
- Regulatory bodies have implemented strict disclosure requirements to prevent twisting and protect consumers from predatory insurance practices.

Usage: Commonly used in the context of insurance regulation and financial ethics.

## Examples

- The car drove slowly down the twisting mountain road.
- A twisting path leads through the thick forest all the way to the hidden lake.
- The architect designed a twisting skyscraper that appears to rotate as it rises, creating a dramatic silhouette against the city skyline.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.