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
Sharks with lower energy reserves, in contrast, exhibited more tortuous or localized movements, likely reflecting a strategy constrained by limited metabolic capacity.
—
Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 19 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for tortuous
Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 19 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for tortuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tortuous
Adjective
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Even the entrance is enveloping—a winding, sheltered, dark wooden path that smells like intense relaxation and essential oils.—
Morgan Fargo,
Vogue,
23 Apr. 2026
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Climb the 199 winding steps to the top, where you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the Delaware Bay, the Atlantic Ocean, and Cape May Point State Park.—
Carlianne Brennan,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The hotel itself—sleekly renovated by Kyoto architect Shiro Miura—is hidden behind traditional dark wood and curved roof tiles.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 May 2026
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The species, known for its distinctive bluish-gray coat and curved horns, disappeared just decades after it was first scientifically classified.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
Adjective
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Lungs of Mother Earth's windpipe, constructed of twisted wood, extends skyward above the lungs.—
Isadora Pennington,
AJC.com,
1 May 2026
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The star opted for a jaw-dropping gown by Ashi Studio that featured an ivory corseted bodice adorned with twisted tendrils of dark hair.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
The park flanks a tiny stretch of Table Rock Lake, a serpentine reservoir with more than 745 miles of shoreline.—
Julia Sayers Gokhale,
Midwest Living,
17 Apr. 2026
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The structures and cash flow of these organizations — which operate on both sides of the political aisle — have taken on a new level of complexity, even for the already serpentine world of campaign giving.—
Gabe Kaminsky,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tortuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tortuous. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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