Thesaurus results for CONTORT

Q: How does the verb 'contort' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of contort are deform , distort , and warp . While all these words mean "to mar or spoil by or as if by twisting," distort and contort both imply a wrenching from the natural or normal, but contort suggests a more involved twisting and a more grotesque and painful result. // the odd camera angle distorts the figure // disease had contorted her body

Q: When could 'deform' be used to replace 'contort'?

While in some cases nearly identical to contort , deform may imply a change of shape through stress, injury, or accident of growth. // a face deformed by hatred

Q: Where would 'warp' be a reasonable alternative to 'contort'?

The words warp and contort are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, warp indicates an uneven shrinking that bends or twists out of a flat plane. // warped floorboards

contort

verb

kən-ˈtȯrt

Definition of contort next

as in to distort

to twist (something) out of a natural or normal shape or condition the acrobat is able to contort his body so that it almost looks like a pretzel

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the verb contort contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of contort are deform, distort, and warp. While all these words mean "to mar or spoil by or as if by twisting," distort and contort both imply a wrenching from the natural or normal, but contort suggests a more involved twisting and a more grotesque and painful result.

the odd camera angle distorts the figure

disease had contorted her body

When could deform be used to replace contort?

While in some cases nearly identical to contort, deform may imply a change of shape through stress, injury, or accident of growth.

a face deformed by hatred

Where would warp be a reasonable alternative to contort?

The words warp and contort are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, warp indicates an uneven shrinking that bends or twists out of a flat plane.

warped floorboards

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of contort Groypers are repelled by the obsequiousness of pro-Trump influencers who are always willing to contort themselves to support the President’s latest actions. —

Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026 But first and foremost, Bad Omens are gifted musicians, and whatever eldritch magic Sebastian wields onstage will always be bolstered by a serious band contorting metal, dark pop and electronic music. —

Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026 In the first round of the 1993 tournament, against LSU Kidd’s drive through the lane and body-contorting, banker high off the backboard with one second left gave Cal a 66-64 win. —

Brad Townsend, Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026 As a magnetar spins on its axis at nearly the speed of light, its immense magnetic field contorts, coils and twists to pump out powerful radiation. —

Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 11 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for contort

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contort

Verb

Through immersive sound, travel, and intimate interviews, Baudelaire journeys from Benin to Haiti and across the Haitian diaspora to uncover the true story of Vodou — a story of resistance, faith, and cultural survival that’s often been distorted by fear and colonial mythmaking.

— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 21 Apr. 2026
This also distorts the definition of what success for these programs would look like.

— Catherine Thorbecke, Boston Herald, 18 Apr. 2026