as in deformation
the twisting of something out of its natural or normal shape or condition
the comedian is renowned for his seemingly endless variety of facial contortions
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Recent Examples of contortion
The screams, contortions and vocal shifts were made without CGI or artificial intelligence, and that detail is its own form of campaign currency in an era when audiences and voters alike are increasingly skeptical of digital enhancement.
—
Clayton Davis, Variety, 15 June 2026
The majority’s contortion of the Purcell principle may be the most disturbing aspect of its order.
—Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 8 June 2026
The Russian state has often forced its people into strange contortions of the mind.
—Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 6 June 2026
The most conspicuous symptom of this transition, certainly, was the contortion of the nation-state, and the resulting unravelling of political cultures built up over many decades.
—Literary Hub, 18 May 2026
There is also the chance to go conceptual and to study the body itself—its limitations, expressions, and even contortions, say by wearing or referencing the work of Rei Kawakubo, who was the topic of a Costume Institute exhibition in 2017.
—José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 1 May 2026
There are nods to Linda Blair’s Regan in the sludgy projectile vomit that pours out of Katie, as well as the animalistic scampering, bodily contortions and levitation.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
Wild performances kept the party going all night, with burlesque dancing from Violent Delights and Candace Cane, the latter of whom also did contortion.
—Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 6 Apr. 2026
As the Supreme Court sets out to untangle State Farm’s latest legal contortions, the cases will continue to pile up.
—J.c. Hallman, Oklahoma Watch, 31 Mar. 2026
Clayton Davis, Variety, 15 June 2026
The majority’s contortion of the Purcell principle may be the most disturbing aspect of its order.
—Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 8 June 2026
The Russian state has often forced its people into strange contortions of the mind.
—Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 6 June 2026
The most conspicuous symptom of this transition, certainly, was the contortion of the nation-state, and the resulting unravelling of political cultures built up over many decades.
—Literary Hub, 18 May 2026
There is also the chance to go conceptual and to study the body itself—its limitations, expressions, and even contortions, say by wearing or referencing the work of Rei Kawakubo, who was the topic of a Costume Institute exhibition in 2017.
—José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 1 May 2026
There are nods to Linda Blair’s Regan in the sludgy projectile vomit that pours out of Katie, as well as the animalistic scampering, bodily contortions and levitation.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
Wild performances kept the party going all night, with burlesque dancing from Violent Delights and Candace Cane, the latter of whom also did contortion.
—Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 6 Apr. 2026
As the Supreme Court sets out to untangle State Farm’s latest legal contortions, the cases will continue to pile up.
—J.c. Hallman, Oklahoma Watch, 31 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contortion
Noun
-
This configuration permits the system to adjust for physical deformation or material degradation during continuous operations without requiring manual mechanical interventions.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
10 June 2026
-
The deformation depends on a single free exponent.—
Paul Sutter,
Space.com,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
Timing, adjustments and sometimes outright manipulation can create distortions that do not survive a quality-of-earnings review.—
Louis Mosca,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
-
Some pastimes are distractions, some are distortions, and some few are true distillations—refining a city or a place or a community to its essence, deliciously sipped by all.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
21 June 2026
Noun
-
Ingrown Toenails Can Form Long-term pressure from too-tight shoes, poor nail trimming, or other deformities in toe or foot can cause an ingrown toenail.—
Mark Gurarie,
Health,
19 June 2026
-
Signs of scoliosis Early detection is important and can help prevent progression of spinal deformity and reduce the need for surgery.—
Oc Register,
Oc Register,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contortion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contortion. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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