Spanish word

retorcer

Pronunciation

IPA/retoɾˈθeɾ/

Meaning

  • verbtwist

Example

Es mejor no retorcer la toalla.

It's better not to twist the towel.

Illustration for retorcer (twist)

More examples

No debes retorcer la verdad para justificar tus acciones.

You must not twist the truth to justify your actions.

Core concept

A wet towel being twisted to squeeze out water.

Common phrases

  • retorcer la verdad

    twist the truth

  • retorcer un argumento

    twist an argument

Similar words

torcer: Twist or bend an object so a part turns to a different direction or angle.
escurrir: Squeeze a wet cloth or container to push out and remove water.
exprimir: Press or squeeze something to force liquid out, often to extract juice.

Definition in Spanish

Girar o torcer algo con fuerza hasta deformarlo o para extraer líquido; también aplicarse figuradamente a distorsionar palabras o ideas.

Word origin

From Latin retorquēre, from re- 'intensive' + torquēre 'to twist', originally meaning to twist forcefully.

Usage tips

  • Stronger than torcer, used for wringing or for deliberately distorting words, and it is stem-changing in the present tense (o → ue: yo retuerzo).

Other meanings

  • wringverb
  • distortverb
  • writheverb

Opposites

Related words

  • retorcidotwistedadjective
  • retorcimientotwistingnoun

Word lists with this word