Untwist: meaning, definitions and examples

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untwist

[ ˌənˈtwɪst ]

Verb

^{Context #1 | Verb}

to confuse

To untwist means to remove the twist or tangle from something, such as a rope or wire, in order to straighten it out. It can also refer to the action of unraveling a complicated or confusing situation to make it clearer.

Synonyms

disentangle, unravel, unravel.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
untwist	When referring to something that has been twisted or coiled, typically ropes, wires, or even hair. She tried to untwist the tangled phone cord. He carefully untwisted the wire to fix the connection.
unravel	Typically used for things that come apart in a linear fashion, like threads or mysteries; often used when the subject is becoming undone or solved. The sweater started to unravel after being caught on a nail. The detective worked hard to unravel the mystery behind the crime.
disentangle	Used when freeing something from a complicated or confusing situation, often involving multiple intertwined parts; can also be metaphorical. It took hours to disentangle the fishing net from the seaweed. She needed to disentangle herself from a web of lies.

Word

Description / Examples

untwist

When referring to something that has been twisted or coiled, typically ropes, wires, or even hair.

She tried to untwist the tangled phone cord.
He carefully untwisted the wire to fix the connection.

unravel

Typically used for things that come apart in a linear fashion, like threads or mysteries; often used when the subject is becoming undone or solved.

The sweater started to unravel after being caught on a nail.
The detective worked hard to unravel the mystery behind the crime.

disentangle

Used when freeing something from a complicated or confusing situation, often involving multiple intertwined parts; can also be metaphorical.

It took hours to disentangle the fishing net from the seaweed.
She needed to disentangle herself from a web of lies.

Examples of usage

He carefully untwisted the knots in the rope.
She tried to untwist the complicated series of events to understand what had really happened.

Translations

Translations of the word "untwist" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desenrolar

🇮🇳 सुलझाना

🇩🇪 entwirren

🇮🇩 mengurai

🇺🇦 розплутувати

🇵🇱 rozplątać

🇯🇵 ほどく

🇫🇷 démêler

🇪🇸 desenredar

🇹🇷 çözmek

🇰🇷 풀다

🇸🇦 فك

🇨🇿 rozplést

🇸🇰 rozpliesť

🇨🇳 解开

🇸🇮 razvozlati

🇮🇸 afþræðing

🇰🇿 шешу

🇬🇪 გახლართვა

🇦🇿 dolaşmamaq

🇲🇽 desenredar

Etymology

The word 'untwist' originated from the combination of the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' or 'opposite of' and the word 'twist' which comes from Old English 'twistian' meaning 'to twine.' The concept of untwisting has been around for centuries, as people have always needed to straighten out twisted ropes, wires, and other materials for various purposes.