tortuous

tor·tu·ous

adj \ˈtȯrch-wəs, ˈtȯr-chə-\

Definition of TORTUOUS

1

: marked by repeated twists, bends, or turns : winding <a tortuous path>

2

a : marked by devious or indirect tactics : crooked, tricky <a tortuous conspiracy> b : circuitous, involved <the tortuous jargon of legal forms>

— tor·tu·ous·ly adverb

— tor·tu·ous·ness noun

Examples of TORTUOUS

1. a tortuous path up the mountain
2. <a tortuous mountain road marked by numerous hairpin turns>

Origin of TORTUOUS

Middle English, from Middle French tortueux, from Latin tortuosus, from tortus twist, from torquēre to twist

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to TORTUOUS

Synonyms: bending, crazy, curled, curling, curved, curving, curvy, devious, serpentine, sinuous, crooked, twisted, twisting, winding, windy

Antonyms: straight, straightaway

Related Words: zigzag, zigzagging; circling, coiled, coiling, corkscrew, looping, spiral, spiraling (or spiralling), swirling; circuitous, indirect, roundabout; meandering, rambling, wandering; irregular, jagged, uneven

Near Antonyms: direct, linear

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