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
In phantom endovascular models, the robot successfully navigated through tortuous vessel-like structures, demonstrating the technique’s potential for minimally invasive vascular interventions.
—
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 1 Jan. 2026
For his role in the movie How the Grinch Stole Christmas, which came out in 2000, Jim Carrey’s tortuous costume and makeup had him on the verge of walking away from a $20 million paycheck.
—Nino Paoli, Fortune, 15 Dec. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for tortuous
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 1 Jan. 2026
For his role in the movie How the Grinch Stole Christmas, which came out in 2000, Jim Carrey’s tortuous costume and makeup had him on the verge of walking away from a $20 million paycheck.
—Nino Paoli, Fortune, 15 Dec. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for tortuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tortuous
Adjective
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Chapin said Tokyo’s narrow and winding streets, often crowded with right-handed cars driving on the left side of the road, will present a fresh test for its AI technology, but that Nuro’s systems are designed to adapt and respond in real time.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
12 Mar. 2026
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Hosch, 67, went for a hike on part of the Appalachian Trail, a winding path that extends almost 2,200 miles through 14 states.—
Elissa Jorgensen,
Dallas Morning News,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The headboard shape boasts the same curved ‘wings’ as those high-back chairs.—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
10 Apr. 2026
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The research team also revealed that their strategy is a highly effective approach for improving not only the thermoelectric and mechanical performances of Ag2Se but also its applicability in curved or flexible energy harvesting devices.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The twisted brick Blavatnik Building extension has doubled the hanging space and does a nice line in river views from the top floor.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Apr. 2026
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Out front, the home’s first impression comes from mature olives that make a statement by real provenance — from twisted trunks to branches of green leaves and fruit — not from landscaping-in-a-box.—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Introduced in 1992, the serpentine two-door was noteworthy for being Dodge’s first pure sports car and also coming with a potent V-10.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
8 Apr. 2026
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The serpentine crawl around the airport’s South terminal gave way to wide open space, offering no signs of what the vacuous hall looked like just hours earlier.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tortuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tortuous. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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