Synonyms of contort

contort

verb

kən-ˈtȯrt 

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

• distort
• deform
• screw
• curl
• torture
• warp
• misshape
• disfigure
• squinch
• deface
• loop
• wring
• spiral
• wind
• wrench
• coil
• wrest
• twine
• wreathe

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• straighten
• unbend
• uncurl

Synonym Chooser

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

Recent Examples of contort

McLain had to contort himself in midair and reach across his body, but the ball hit off his glove and into the outfield, allowing two runners to score with two outs in the first inning. —C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 26 May 2025

The house contorted even more, and once dinner was done, collecting laundry had become less mundane and more treacherous as violent, red flowers bloomed inside the home. —Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 8 June 2025

At a hearing last month, House Foreign Affairs ranking Democrat Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., said Rubio had contorted himself to justify Trump’s actions. —Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 9 May 2025

One way to create more space and the illusion of a bigger room is to invest in space-saving furniture and clever gadgets that fold, hang, and contort to make your place more functional. —Shalwah Evans, People.com, 6 May 2025