1
: distorted from a true value or symmetrical form
problematic polling methods that resulted in skewed data
… a series of orange and yellow skewed shapes with mesh squares of different sizes …Natalie Savino
2
: deviating from what is normal, direct, or accurate
The treatment will later attempt to correct the anorexic's skewed [=distorted] perceptions about her body.Daniel Goleman
More broadly, some critics argue our über-emphasis on sports shows a skewed set of priorities.Kase Wickman et al.
This issue of control, and of the price paid for following the sometimes skewed road leading toward self-invention, is among the themes now being grappled with by Mary Harron …The New Yorker
Allowing even for my invariably skewed sense of direction, and the dark and sinuous roads that had delivered me to my door the night before, navigating the property is a challenge.Nancy Novogrod

Examples of skewed in a Sentence

he could see that the ropes had gotten all skewed in the collision
Recent Examples on the Web Judges are the best and final defense of a system that is inherently skewed. Ann Ravel, The Mercury News, 7 May 2024 Overall, the virus has a 50% mortality rate—but that could reflect a skewed population of people with more susceptible immune systems who are vulnerable to infection, since many cases lead to mild or no symptoms, or symptoms that aren't reported. Alice Park, TIME, 3 May 2024 The last two seasons are a little bit skewed based on guys that missed the entire season that weren’t fully in our rotation. Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 3 May 2024 This year’s iPhone sales in China were more heavily skewed toward newer models, Counterpoint analyst Charles Moon said, nudging up the average selling price per unit. Vlad Savov, Fortune Asia, 3 May 2024 Despite some excellent reporting from a handful of reporters in the tech press, a skewed and often wildly inaccurate narrative formed around Silk Road and Ross that followed him all the way to his brief trial. Alex Winter, Rolling Stone, 2 May 2024 Instead, government intervention skewed incentives at post-secondary institutions and the underlying value of a degree became separated from the financial likelihood of repaying one’s loan. Brian Curcio, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024 Weird data: Some economists say that CPI data is skewed and can paint a false picture of how high inflation currently is. Nicole Goodkind, CNN, 12 Mar. 2024 And Russia is now a postmodern autocracy that can brandish Putin’s still sky-high approval ratings (however skewed) and his inevitable re-election (however undemocratic) as a sign of legitimacy and unquestionable public support for the war. Nathan Hodge, CNN, 11 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'skewed.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of skewed was in 1611

Dictionary Entries Near skewed

Cite this Entry

“Skewed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skewed. Accessed 16 May. 2024.

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