distortion
noun
dis·tor·tion
di-ˈstȯr-shən 
1
: the act of twisting or altering something out of its true, natural, or original state : the act of distorting
a distortion of the facts
2
: the quality or state of being distorted : a product of distorting: such as
a
physics
: a lack of proportionality in an image resulting from defects in the optical system
an image free of distortion
b
: falsified reproduction of an audio or video signal (see signal entry 1 sense 4b) caused by change in the wave form of the original signal
Synonyms
Examples of distortion in a Sentence
had to total the car due to a distortion of the chassis resulting from collision
Recent Examples on the Web
But Musk’s reality distortion field is something else entirely — hardly limited to overly optimistic timetables or pie-in-the-sky projections for Tesla’s delivery schedule.
—
Allison Morrow, CNN, 15 Oct. 2024
On Tumblr, Halsey fills her blog with art and writing — both her own and that of film directors, photographers, and nameless Tumblr users — without the distortion of pop stardom.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2024
Entire mythologies are woven around the transformative power of leaders, from Steve Jobs' ‘reality distortion field’ at Apple, to the (somewhat-tarnished) cold-fusion miracle of Jack Welch's constant profits at GE.
—Dave Winsborough, Forbes, 6 Oct. 2024
The same can be said for Eliasson’s new work at the Museum of Contemporary Art Los Angeles, where a major exhibition devoted to the artist (as part of PST ART: Art & Science Collide) focuses entirely on the optical distortions of kaleidoscopic sculpture.
—Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 27 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for distortion 
Allison Morrow, CNN, 15 Oct. 2024
On Tumblr, Halsey fills her blog with art and writing — both her own and that of film directors, photographers, and nameless Tumblr users — without the distortion of pop stardom.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2024
Entire mythologies are woven around the transformative power of leaders, from Steve Jobs' ‘reality distortion field’ at Apple, to the (somewhat-tarnished) cold-fusion miracle of Jack Welch's constant profits at GE.
—Dave Winsborough, Forbes, 6 Oct. 2024
The same can be said for Eliasson’s new work at the Museum of Contemporary Art Los Angeles, where a major exhibition devoted to the artist (as part of PST ART: Art & Science Collide) focuses entirely on the optical distortions of kaleidoscopic sculpture.
—Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 27 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for distortion
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'distortion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near distortion
Cite this Entry
“Distortion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/distortion. Accessed 22 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
distortion
noun
dis·tor·tion
dis-ˈtȯr-shən
1
: the act of distorting
2
: the condition of being distorted or a product of distortion
Medical Definition
distortion
noun
dis·tor·tion
dis-ˈtȯr-shən
1
: the censorship of unacceptable unconscious impulses so that they are unrecognizable to the ego in the manifest content of a dream
2
: a lack of correspondence of size or intensity in an image resulting from defects in an optical system
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