contorts

present tense third-person singular of contort
as in distorts
to twist (something) out of a natural or normal shape or condition the acrobat is able to contort his body so that it almost looks like a pretzel

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of contorts Will, in response, contorts his entire face into a terrible grimace. Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025 With an almost modern-day Charlie Chaplin-esque physicality, Moss dances, contorts, and frolics amongst the shoes, their boxes, and fixtures in the store for a mesmerizing, can't-look-away effect. Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025 Stewart contorts his face with a look of disbelief when asked if Montgomery has stayed on him. Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contorts
Verb
  • This dynamic suppresses wages and distorts labor competition.
    Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Expecting others to adapt to us is a selfish gesture that distorts the spirit of travel.
    Wilson Santiago Burgos, USA Today, 26 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In free fall, the sheet deforms into an upside-down bell when a weight is attached at its center.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2025
  • According to Burlison, the video shows a high-speed object—presumably the missile—hitting the orb, which then deforms, tumbles, and sheds smaller fragments, one barely visible.
    Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Now, a sinister witch (Sarah Stephens) who bathes her broomstick in the woods tortures their existence, abducting their infant and leaving the family in shambles.
    Michael Lee Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
  • The mistake tortures them, which prompts the couple to try and solve the mystery by producing a fake play in an attempt to get their ex-neighbor Mary (Chloe Cherry) to audition.
    Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 3 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Contorts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contorts. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.

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