contort

verb

con·​tort kən-ˈtȯrt 

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

kən-ˈtȯr-shən 

noun

contortive

kən-ˈtȯr-tiv 

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.

Synonyms of contort

• distort
• deform

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

An inventive, self-reflexive director, necessity has forced Panahi to stretch the boundaries of film and contort it into new forms. —Thomas Page, CNN Money, 16 Jan. 2026

Because you’re done contorting, shrinking, softening, and waiting for permission. —Samyra, SELF, 14 Jan. 2026

The Thunder, contorting around the Frenchman’s wingspan, shot better than 68 percent inside the paint on just one fewer attempt than San Antonio. —Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026

Then, while Williams was stoic, Storrie feigned nervousness about presenting, contorting himself into knots. —Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2026

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

Rhymes for contort

• abort
• airport
• alport
• athwart
• carport
• comport
• consort
• deport
• distort
• escort
• exhort
• extort

Kids Definition

contort

verb

con·​tort kən-ˈtȯ(ə)rt 

: to twist into an unusual appearance or unnatural shape