distortion
noun
dis·tor·tion
di-ˈstȯr-shən 
1
: the act of twisting or altering something out of its true, natural, or original state : the act of distorting
a distortion of the facts
2
: the quality or state of being distorted : a product of distorting: such as
a
physics
: a lack of proportionality in an image resulting from defects in the optical system
an image free of distortion
b
: falsified reproduction of an audio or video signal (see signal entry 1 sense 4b) caused by change in the wave form of the original signal
Examples of distortion in a Sentence
had to total the car due to a distortion of the chassis resulting from collision
Recent Examples on the Web
Mueller enabled this distortion of the facts.
—
David Frum, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
On the surface, my life seemed organized around the pursuit of truth, but I was simultaneously being drawn into the heady distortions of the digital sphere, spending more and more of my time online.
—Hannah Gold, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
When Landowner started in 2015 as a solo endeavor, Shaw would open a new file, choose a drum machine pattern, and write a caricature of a hardcore song sans distortion.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 24 Mar. 2026
Any solution will need ultra-precise tracking systems and adaptive optics to correct beam distortion.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for distortion
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David Frum, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
On the surface, my life seemed organized around the pursuit of truth, but I was simultaneously being drawn into the heady distortions of the digital sphere, spending more and more of my time online.
—Hannah Gold, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
When Landowner started in 2015 as a solo endeavor, Shaw would open a new file, choose a drum machine pattern, and write a caricature of a hardcore song sans distortion.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 24 Mar. 2026
Any solution will need ultra-precise tracking systems and adaptive optics to correct beam distortion.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for distortion
Cite this Entry
“Distortion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/distortion. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
distortion
noun
dis·tor·tion
dis-ˈtȯr-shən
1
: the act of distorting
2
: the condition of being distorted or a product of distortion
Medical Definition
distortion
noun
dis·tor·tion
dis-ˈtȯr-shən
1
: the censorship of unacceptable unconscious impulses so that they are unrecognizable to the ego in the manifest content of a dream
2
: a lack of correspondence of size or intensity in an image resulting from defects in an optical system
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