as in winding
marked by a long series of irregular curves
a tortuous mountain road marked by numerous hairpin turns
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Recent Examples of tortuous
Another machinery noise reducer involves cutting out the gurgling of flowing liquids by using special pipes that send the fluids on a tortuous path that minimizes turbulence.
—
New Atlas, 7 Dec. 2025
In retrospect, 1943, which saw the publication of three remarkable books by three remarkable women, is sometimes seen as the beginning of a long and tortuous comeback for the ideas of liberty.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 23 Nov. 2025
Flying anywhere for the Thanksgiving holiday is likely to be tortuous for legions of travelers — even if the government shutdown ends today, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned today.
—Jay Blackman, NBC news, 8 Nov. 2025
The development concludes a tortuous bargaining process that lasted longer than the term of the three-year contract.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for tortuous
New Atlas, 7 Dec. 2025
In retrospect, 1943, which saw the publication of three remarkable books by three remarkable women, is sometimes seen as the beginning of a long and tortuous comeback for the ideas of liberty.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 23 Nov. 2025
Flying anywhere for the Thanksgiving holiday is likely to be tortuous for legions of travelers — even if the government shutdown ends today, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned today.
—Jay Blackman, NBC news, 8 Nov. 2025
The development concludes a tortuous bargaining process that lasted longer than the term of the three-year contract.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for tortuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tortuous
Adjective
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Cherry unveiled like a mood overture: Every winding synth line, chopped vocal shard, and sudden genre swerve felt like a distinct scene—time-traveling without losing a grip on the floor.—
Gio Santiago,
Pitchfork,
12 Feb. 2026
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And every stop along the winding road of his life, from musical wunderkind to business and community leader, has shaped how this Flossmoor resident approaches life.—
Jim Dudlicek,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Hudsonian whimbrels, to be exact, shorebirds about the size of crows with long, thin, slightly curved beaks.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
14 Feb. 2026
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We’re drawn to each design but really like the curved scallop edges and piped embellishments for an elegant bedscape.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The film vaguely follows the basic outline of the first half of the novel, heavily streamlining the twisted tale of family strife and generational trauma into a more conventional tragic romance centered squarely on Catherine and Heathcliff.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
13 Feb. 2026
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Loft Twist Off-the-shoulder Sweater The beautiful twisted detailing at the neckline of this Loft top sets it apart from other off-the-shoulder styles—and it’s double discounted to just $18 in a full range of sizes.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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For Shiffrin, the dozen years between slalom golds have been even more serpentine than that.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
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Jessica Alba stepped out for a solo beach day on Sunday wearing a plunging serpentine string bikini with matching thong bikini bottoms.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tortuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tortuous. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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