distorted; distorting; distorts
1
: to twist (see twist entry 1 sense 3b) out of the true meaning or proportion : to alter to give a false or unnatural picture or account
distorted the facts
2
: to twist out of a natural, normal, or original shape or condition
a face distorted by pain
also
: to cause to be perceived unnaturally
the new lights distorted colors
The singer's voice was electronically distorted.
3
: pervert
distort justice
: to become distorted
Heat caused the wax figures to distort.
also
: to cause a twisting from the true, natural, or normal
distorter
noun
Synonyms
Examples of distort in a Sentence
Her face was distorted by pain.
The odd camera angle distorted her figure in the photograph.
The sound of the guitar was distorted.
Heat caused the plastic to distort.
She felt he was distorting the facts.
The story was distorted by the press.
The loss of both her parents at an early age distorted her outlook on life.
Recent Examples on the Web
Last month, on a visit to a solar panel factory in Georgia, Yellen said China’s excess capacity was distorting prices and production patterns and hurting American firms and workers.
—
Laura He, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024
The computer program is just adding more information in an effort to make the image sharper, which can often distort what’s really there.
—Matt Novak / Gizmodo, Quartz, 3 Apr. 2024
Their scarcity hints that preservation bias distorts archaeologists’ view of the past: Stone tools persist over the millennia, whereas wood typically decays.
—Byandrew Curry, science.org, 1 Apr. 2024
Some of the most common treatments include: Fertility treatments: Lesions may distort the structure of reproductive organs.
—Anna Almendrala, Health, 30 Mar. 2024
The international competitiveness of America’s innovative industries is at risk from Chinese government actions that distort markets to favor Chinese competitors.
—Alden Abbott, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
The extremely rare neurological disorder of perception causes faces to appear distorted in shape, size, texture or color.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 22 Mar. 2024
Rather, psychologists say, spiritual narcissists distort religion and spirituality to cater to their own selfish interests, as well as to punish and abuse others.
—USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2024
The lows don't distort at top volumes and still sound robust at moderate levels.
—PCMAG, 17 Mar. 2024
Laura He, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024
The computer program is just adding more information in an effort to make the image sharper, which can often distort what’s really there.
—Matt Novak / Gizmodo, Quartz, 3 Apr. 2024
Their scarcity hints that preservation bias distorts archaeologists’ view of the past: Stone tools persist over the millennia, whereas wood typically decays.
—Byandrew Curry, science.org, 1 Apr. 2024
Some of the most common treatments include: Fertility treatments: Lesions may distort the structure of reproductive organs.
—Anna Almendrala, Health, 30 Mar. 2024
The international competitiveness of America’s innovative industries is at risk from Chinese government actions that distort markets to favor Chinese competitors.
—Alden Abbott, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
The extremely rare neurological disorder of perception causes faces to appear distorted in shape, size, texture or color.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 22 Mar. 2024
Rather, psychologists say, spiritual narcissists distort religion and spirituality to cater to their own selfish interests, as well as to punish and abuse others.
—USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2024
The lows don't distort at top volumes and still sound robust at moderate levels.
—PCMAG, 17 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'distort.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near distort
Cite this Entry
“Distort.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/distort. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
distort
verb
dis·tort
dis-ˈtȯ(ə)rt 
1
: to tell in a way that is misleading : misrepresent
distorted the facts
2
: to twist out of a natural, normal, or original shape or condition
distorter
noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share