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
While examples abound, the state’s woebegone bullet train project, its tortuous efforts to implement information technology and the financial and managerial meltdown of its unemployment insurance program are among the most egregious.
—
Dan Walters, Mercury News, 26 Apr. 2025
If that research goes well, the treatment could advance into human clinical trials — often a long, tortuous process.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 25 Apr. 2025
Homer’s poem tells of the Greek hero King Odysseus, being played by Damon in Nolan’s telling, and his tortuous, 10-year journey home to Ithaca after the Trojan War.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2025
New York's attempts to improve the quality of life of its residents by reducing car traffic below 60th Street have been long and tortuous.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tortuous
Dan Walters, Mercury News, 26 Apr. 2025
If that research goes well, the treatment could advance into human clinical trials — often a long, tortuous process.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 25 Apr. 2025
Homer’s poem tells of the Greek hero King Odysseus, being played by Damon in Nolan’s telling, and his tortuous, 10-year journey home to Ithaca after the Trojan War.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2025
New York's attempts to improve the quality of life of its residents by reducing car traffic below 60th Street have been long and tortuous.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tortuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tortuous
Adjective
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During his speech, Kissel made winding references to railroads, attorneys’ fees, scratch-off tickets, casinos, Hartford, car fatalities, troopers, eye-hand coordination, Jack LaLanne, Methuselah, the Bible, and hallucinogenic mushrooms.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
31 May 2025
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One way that’s easy to manifest is through maximalist bedding with punchy colors, big stripes, and winding patterns.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
25 May 2025
Adjective
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The line currently features twisted, Western landscape-inspired takes on classic silhouettes across jackets and jeans with sleek hardware details (made in collaboration with industrial designer David Caon), which are currently available on the brand’s e-commerce.—
Emily Mercer,
Footwear News,
17 June 2025
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Wednesday: Eve of the Outcasts: What starts off as a fun school carnival (shudder!) falls under Wednesday’s spell to make for a twisted tour through the macabre.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
17 June 2025
Adjective
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Presidio manzanita, an evergreen shrub, requires unusual serpentine soils to grow.—
Megan Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
16 May 2025
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Some leaf-mining insects make distinct patterns, like squiggles or serpentine shapes, while others make irregular blotches, like this species.—
Miri Talabac,
Baltimore Sun,
8 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tortuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tortuous. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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