tortuous

adjective

ˈtȯrch-wəs How to pronounce tortuous (audio)
Definition of tortuousnext
as in winding
marked by a long series of irregular curves a tortuous mountain road marked by numerous hairpin turns

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 tortuous Brexit’s tortuous complexity weakened governance and led to parliamentary deadlock. — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 25 June 2026 Slow-moving cars on the Ike, caught in their own tortuous crawl, still often pass our CTA train. — Chicago Tribune, 9 June 2026 So is Ray Wilkins (Shawn Wayans), the former high school football hero who has a tortuous relationship with his sexuality and the closet. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 5 June 2026 The news in December that the long-standing chairman was leaving, to be replaced by namesake and fellow Fosun executive Nathan Shi, was widely welcomed by fans who held Jeff Shi responsible for the club’s tortuous last few seasons. — Steve Madeley, New York Times, 25 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for tortuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tortuous
  1. winding
  2. curved
  3. twisted
  4. serpentine
Adjective
  • Every floor and room is dedicated to specific watch brands and timepieces, featuring bespoke details like watch-hand door handles and winding-crown faucet handles, all crafted by Florentine artisans.
    — Irene S. Levine, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • As such, the show takes you on a winding journey of France’s influential craftsmanship and its impact on America via archival looks, dazzling objects, and more modern creations.
    — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 29 May 2026
Definition of winding
Adjective
  • Emirates’ massive suite, which is perched over the center of Ashe, is being remodeled this year to emulate the spacious lounges and curved bar on its double-decker Airbus 380 planes.
    — Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The darkening will be incredibly subtle compared to that of a partial lunar eclipse, where the moon passes into Earth's intense inner shadow — the umbra — revealing our planet's curved silhouette on the lunar surface.
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of curved
Adjective
  • Derby fixtures — meetings between teams brought together by geographical proximity and driven apart by rivalry — have their own twisted tempo and warped logic.
    — George Caulkin, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Some have described this play as biting political theater and others as a suspense thriller or a twisted rom-com.
    — Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of twisted
Adjective
  • The larvae feed on the tree through winter, carving serpentine tunnels that ultimately interfere with the tree’s ability to feed itself.
    — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Aug. 2026
  • But, for 2026 anyway, the conference has improved what had been a serpentine system.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 15 July 2026
Definition of serpentine

Browse Nearby Words

tors
tortuous
torture
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Cite this Entry

“Tortuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tortuous. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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