warp 1 of 2

Definition of warpnext

warp

2 of 2

verb

1
2
3
as in to deform
to twist (something) out of a natural or normal shape or condition freezing warped the plastic, and now the cover won't fit

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb warp contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of warp are contort, deform, and distort. While all these words mean "to mar or spoil by or as if by twisting," warp indicates an uneven shrinking that bends or twists out of a flat plane.

warped floorboards

When could deform be used to replace warp?

The synonyms deform and warp are sometimes interchangeable, but deform may imply a change of shape through stress, injury, or accident of growth.

a face deformed by hatred

How do distort and contort relate to one another, in the sense of warp?

Distort and contort both imply a wrenching from the natural or normal, but contort suggests a more involved twisting and a more grotesque and painful result.

the odd camera angle distorts the figure
disease had contorted her body

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 warp
Noun
Cotton is sourced from Texas (warp) and Zimbabwe (weft), each chosen for its unique character. Jessica Binns, Sourcing Journal, 18 Mar. 2026 Plastic wrap that's safe to use in the microwave is formulated to tolerate heat without melting or breaking down, while those that aren't may melt, warp, or leach chemicals into your dishes. Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 3 Feb. 2026
Verb
Knibbs asks Steve Rosenbaum, whose book about how AI warps perception was produced with assistance from AI, to explain himself. Literary Hub, 1 June 2026 Behind them, a floor-warping, extraterrestrial center in Victor Wembanyama. Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 31 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for warp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for warp
Noun
  • The 22-year-old right-hander gave up three hits, struck out seven and walked five in his 107-pitch effort, which included a 97-mph fastball to whiff Joey Loperfido with the bases loaded to end the third.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
  • Omnisend has historically offered salary increases on a quarterly basis, so this cadence isn’t new.
    Sage Lazzaro, Fortune, 9 June 2026
Verb
  • This lyrical collection from B Batchelor—a 2025 Haymarket Writing Freedom Fellow, and a recipient of multiple awards from PEN America—explores the way incarceration distorts time.
    Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 11 June 2026
  • The stainless-steel finish is extremely durable and will last for years without bending or distorting.
    Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 10 June 2026
Verb
  • The country’s ministry of culture and sports set out a series of rules and regulations which included no pyro, no face paint and no shouting of words that could be degrading towards any person on the field, not even the referee.
    Tim Spiers, New York Times, 10 June 2026
  • The bones also were coated with a light layer of minerals from the surrounding seawater, which may have prevented them from degrading.
    ABC News, ABC News, 10 June 2026
Verb
  • On the other hand, if the gold structure is a square pattern, oxygen molecules readily stick to the surface and are deformed to the point of splitting, leaving them available to react (indeed, under these conditions, gold will oxidize as well).
    Chris Lee, ArsTechnica, 9 June 2026
  • The impact with Bell's Camry severely deformed the SAFER barrier, which is comprised of steel and foam to absorb energy in wrecks.
    CBS News, CBS News, 8 June 2026
Noun
  • Especially Melanie, who was crying her foundation off before the vote was even announced.
    Bethy Squires, Vulture, 13 June 2026
  • Regular caffeine consumption changes the way your brain responds to it, and that’s the foundation of tolerance.
    Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 12 June 2026
Verb
  • Bohn, in a recent report, cautioned that focusing solely on relocations overlooks the range of positive and negative forces driving headquarters activity and can misrepresent businesses’ desire and ability to operate headquarters in California and the broader impact on jobs.
    The Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026
  • Kroger marketed Carbmaster Bread Products to consumers on specialty diets while significantly misrepresenting the nutritional information of those products.
    ABC News, ABC News, 8 June 2026
Verb
  • Her mother, however, had been deteriorating from Parkinson’s and dementia for four years.
    Wes Kilgore, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
  • Cutting prices now could make the situation even more dire, deteriorating already disastrous profit margins.
    Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 11 June 2026
Verb
  • Each of the asymmetrical stones used in the brooches, which were individually polished and finished, were cut specifically for the drawing of the creation with 18-karat yellow gold prongs screwed in to protect the fragile stone tableaus.
    Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 12 June 2026
  • As a bonus, this vacuum comes with different attachments, including a dusting brush and hair screw tool.
    Blake Bakkila, Architectural Digest, 12 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Warp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/warp. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.

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