distorted

adjective

dis·​tort·​ed di-ˈstȯr-təd 

: altered from a true, natural, or normal state, shape, or condition

a distorted image

a distorted view/understanding of the situation

a distorted account of what happened

The public is, I believe, dimly aware of this aspect of ethnography, perhaps in romantically distorted ways, but aware nonetheless.

—Roy A. Rappaport

What happens is that you realize people in other countries tend to reach distorted conclusions about the U.S., and you feel obligated to provide what you believe is a full and balanced appraisal.

—Norman Cousins

Synonyms of distorted

• monstrous
• deformed
• misshapen
• malformed
• mutant

Examples of distorted in a Sentence

surgery to correct a distorted foot

Recent Examples on the Web

Letting go of these items leads to regret for the loss of nostalgia and passing on true history for a distorted version. — Tessa Cooper, Southern Living, 28 June 2026

Sensitive plants may show leaf curling, distorted growth, discoloration, or even die from exposure to very small amounts of herbicide. — Kansas City Star, 2 June 2026

Through a slurry of distorted guitars and deadpan singing, the album brushes against grief, addiction, and abandonment through a layer of gauzy nonchalance. — Linnie Greene, Pitchfork, 23 June 2026

Even though Mercola has now reversed his position on vitamin K, many on social media still cling to debunked and distorted claims. — Duaa Eldeib, ProPublica, 12 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for distorted

• aborted
• assorted
• comported
• consorted
• contorted
• deported
• escorted
• exhorted
• exported
• extorted
• imported
• purported