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
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 Trump has gone much further, attacking the very notion of an independent news media, one that will refute his distortions.
—
Natalie Proulx, New York Times, 1 May 2025
When those scores disappear, admissions officers must rely on metrics that are less standardized — and more vulnerable to distortion.
—Gerald Bradshaw, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2025
Without him, Ubu cut their debut, The Modern Dance; the pressing plant sent it back, puzzled at all the distortion.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 25 Apr. 2025
But Bolton’s team did not find this level of distortion.
—Robin George Andrews, Quanta Magazine, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distortion
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Natalie Proulx, New York Times, 1 May 2025
When those scores disappear, admissions officers must rely on metrics that are less standardized — and more vulnerable to distortion.
—Gerald Bradshaw, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2025
Without him, Ubu cut their debut, The Modern Dance; the pressing plant sent it back, puzzled at all the distortion.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 25 Apr. 2025
But Bolton’s team did not find this level of distortion.
—Robin George Andrews, Quanta Magazine, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distortion
Cite this Entry
“Distortion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/distortion. Accessed 6 May. 2025.
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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