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

Relevance

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 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 imbalance destabilizes democracy, distorts our economy, and limits human potential.
    Scott Ellis, Time, 17 Oct. 2025
  • It was detected in a process called gravitational lensing, which involves the way its gravity distorts light passing through or near it.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 13 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
  • 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Contorts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contorts. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on contorts

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!