contort

verb

con·​tort kən-ˈtȯrt How to pronounce contort (audio)
contorted; contorting; contorts

transitive verb

: to twist in a violent manner
features contorted with fury

intransitive verb

: to twist into or as if into a strained shape or expression
His face contorted in a grimace of pain.
contortion noun
contortive adjective

Did you know?

Circus contortionists are known for twisting their bodies into pretzels; such contortions tend to be easier for females than for males, and much easier for the young than for the old. When trying to say something uncomfortable or dishonest, people often go through verbal contortions. But when someone else "twists" something you said or did, we usually say instead that they've distorted it.

Choose the Right Synonym for contort

deform, distort, contort, warp means to mar or spoil by or as if by twisting.

deform may imply a change of shape through stress, injury, or accident of growth.

a face deformed by hatred

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

warp indicates an uneven shrinking that bends or twists out of a flat plane.

warped floorboards

Examples of contort in a Sentence

His body contorted with pain. The boy contorted his body to squeeze through the gate. Her face was contorted with rage.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
During the plea hearing, his attorney Brian Steel delivered a heated takedown of the state’s case, accusing them of lying and contorting evidence — including Thug’s own lyrics — to make an example of his client. Justin Curto, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2024 An entire shed from one woman’s yard now lay, on its side, contorted, in another yard down the street. Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 11 Oct. 2024 Midway through the fourth quarter, Wilson reached back with one arm in the endzone and contorted his body to snatch the ball out of the air while Texans cornerback Kamari Lassiter could only watch on. Ben Morse, CNN, 1 Nov. 2024 Rather than contorting their efforts to fit the specifications of a funder’s vision, nonprofits instead receive unrestricted, multi-year grants with minimal reporting requirements. Katie Jennings, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for contort 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin contortus, past participle of contorquēre, from com- + torquēre to twist — more at torture entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of contort was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near contort

Cite this Entry

“Contort.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contort. Accessed 7 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

contort

verb
con·​tort kən-ˈtȯ(ə)rt How to pronounce contort (audio)
: to twist into an unusual appearance or unnatural shape

More from Merriam-Webster on contort

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!