as in distorting
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 contorting Despite some obvious physical scarring and a seeming predilection for contorting her body in creepy ways, Katie seems pretty healthy, or so the Egyptian doctors tell her parents. —
Gregory Nussen, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2026 Subtlety never stood a chance, with Cardi leaning fully into the chaos all night — chopping the air with her arms, sticking out her tongue, whipping her head, contorting her body, dropping into splits and backbends without warning. —Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 13 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 But film and television stars lately have been contorting themselves to say less. —Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 5 Feb. 2026 Because you’re done contorting, shrinking, softening, and waiting for permission. —Samyra, SELF, 14 Jan. 2026 The Thunder, contorting around the Frenchman’s wingspan, shot better than 68 percent inside the paint on just one fewer attempt than San Antonio. —Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026 Then, while Williams was stoic, Storrie feigned nervousness about presenting, contorting himself into knots. —Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2026
Gregory Nussen, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2026 Subtlety never stood a chance, with Cardi leaning fully into the chaos all night — chopping the air with her arms, sticking out her tongue, whipping her head, contorting her body, dropping into splits and backbends without warning. —Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 13 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 But film and television stars lately have been contorting themselves to say less. —Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 5 Feb. 2026 Because you’re done contorting, shrinking, softening, and waiting for permission. —Samyra, SELF, 14 Jan. 2026 The Thunder, contorting around the Frenchman’s wingspan, shot better than 68 percent inside the paint on just one fewer attempt than San Antonio. —Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026 Then, while Williams was stoic, Storrie feigned nervousness about presenting, contorting himself into knots. —Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contorting
Verb
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Normalizing interactions where such limitations do not exist risks distorting the very standard by which human love is measured.— Oluwaseun Damilola Sanwoolu, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2026
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The front has square glass block masonry on the lower half, which lets light in while reducing what's visible outside by distorting the view.— Stefan Ionescu March 30, New Atlas, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Their atoms are held together by strong chemical bonds and arranged in a stable crystal structure that resists deforming, even at extreme temperatures.— Vitor Rielli, The Conversation, 4 Mar. 2026
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Like stirring honey instead of water, deforming a thicker, more viscous interior requires more energy.— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 17 Dec. 2025
Verb
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And which society is torturing the poets?— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 21 Apr. 2026
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The two defendants are Kevin Murray and Devon Daniels, who are convicted of murder, but have maintained their innocence and accused Kato of torturing them.— Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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To make a profit from their business, American companies sent their manufacturing facilities overseas, screwing American workers by incurring smaller labor costs, therefore profiting rich investors who never had to work for it and used their money to make more money off the American consumer.— Jay Reddick, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Mar. 2026
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All the setup required was screwing in the legs.— Noah Kaufman, Architectural Digest, 7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Enter Artturi Lehkonen, who swooped into the crease to clean up with Doughty still riding his back, remaining upright and curling the rebound around Forsberg’s right leg to finally light the tamp.— Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 20 Apr. 2026
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Threes while curling off screens or taking handoffs from teammates are routine for the NBA’s leading three-point shooter.— Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contorting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/contorting. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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