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
At this point, you’d be forgiven for expecting a straightforward werewolf story, but Cassidy’s novel stretches and contorts into something far stranger, more audacious, and ultimately, both heartbreaking and triumphant.
—
Emma Alpern, Vulture, 2 Dec. 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
Emma Alpern, Vulture, 2 Dec. 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
-
When the secretary bypasses or distorts that structure, the guidance loses its claim to legitimacy.—
Richard Hughes IV,
STAT,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Freedom from want mattered because deprivation distorts judgment.—
Philip Martin,
Washington Post,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The research team attributed their results to how tiny defects, known as dislocations, move when a metal deforms.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Jan. 2026
-
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
-
Later, in one of the movie's most satisfying scenes, Millie locks Andrew in the attic and tortures him by loudly smashing each plate.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Dec. 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
Cite this Entry
“Contorts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contorts. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
