twisting vs straining

twisting and straining both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
twisting	Yes	Yes	No	No
straining	Yes	Yes	No	No

As nouns, twisting and straining are synonyms defined as:

twisting and straining: the act of distorting something so it seems to mean something it was not intended to mean

Other synonyms of twisting include distortion, overrefinement, torture.

twisting (noun)	straining (noun)
the act of distorting something so it seems to mean something it was not intended to mean	the act of distorting something so it seems to mean something it was not intended to mean
the act of rotating rapidly	an intense or violent exertion

twisting (adjective)	straining (adjective)
marked by repeated turns and bends	taxing to the utmost; testing powers of endurance