warp 1 of 2

noun

ˈwȯrp How to pronounce warp (audio)
Definition of warpnext
as in basis
an immaterial thing upon which something else rests an unshakable belief in the essential goodness of humankind is the warp of his philosophy

Synonyms & Similar Words

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warp

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to distort
to change so much as to create a wrong impression or alter the meaning of the faulty English translation really warps the meaning of the original Russian text

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to degrade
to lower in character, dignity, or quality claims that violent movies warp the values of our young people

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

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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
The quest for real-life warp drives Einstein taught us that objects with mass can't accelerate through space beyond the speed of light, according to his theory of special relativity. — Micah Hanks, Space.com, 23 Sep. 2026 The fabric of the Ghetto is the warp and weft of its social existence. — Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2026
Verb
The chill was slipping through the cracks in her windows and warps in her 48-year-old trailer. — Rachel Siegel, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026 The memo said betting on military matters related to a person’s job can warp one’s judgment. — Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for warp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for warp
  1. basis
  2. distort
  3. degrade
  4. deform
  5. foundation
  6. misrepresent
  7. deteriorate
  8. screw
Noun
  • Specifically, the scientists found that a receptor protein in the ventromedial hypothalamus may form the basis for the foxes’ social behavior.
    — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Plus, that can impact how the whole institution is run on a day-to-day basis, as Congress has the power to shake up the Smithsonian’s board of regents.
    — Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of basis
Verb
  • However, attaching a metal wire directly to the delicate plasma filament would distort its structure.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Americans may disagree on solutions, but many share the belief that financial incentives have distorted the system beyond recognition.
    — Scott Levenson, New York Daily News, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of distort
Verb
  • Neither of those seats was a Democratic target at the start of this election cycle, but both races saw later investment as the environment appeared to degrade for Republicans.
    — David Weigel, semafor.com, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The experiments will test whether the reactor’s exhaust system can endure the punishment of such high-performance plasma without degrading.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of degrade
Verb
  • The successful campaign allowed engineers to assess how the magnet deforms under electromagnetic loads and compare its behavior with structural models.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The resulting biohybrid structure could move and deform with the living cells, allowing the electronics to operate in close mechanical contact with the biological system.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of deform
Noun
  • Fourier’s experience with humanoid robots provided a foundation for the project.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2026
  • As the initiative develops, these criteria could provide a foundation for future discussions about common benchmarks or guidelines, ideally involving stakeholders from across the industry.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of foundation
Verb
  • Researchers studying false online information have been worried about the potential for such accusations to recirculate as normal glitches get misrepresented.
    — Jane Lytvynenko, NBC news, 3 Nov. 2026
  • This follows the discovery of a $17 million math error found last week by two district parents that misrepresents what the district’s expected building expenses will be for the next five years.
    — Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of misrepresent
Verb
  • Unreliable water supplies, deteriorating roads, corruption, and mismanagement of municipal finances, have left many councils struggling to provide basic services.
    — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The surprise defection followed weeks of deteriorating relations with her former primary opponent, Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of deteriorate
Verb
  • Slide that bit in and simply hold it to the screw head, and the driver then uses its powered head to screw or unscrew it.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 Oct. 2026
  • These are games with names that have become synonymous with the sport, but lately, our corporate overlords have decided to screw with another tradition that is nearly universally loved by college fans.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of screw

Phrases Containing warp

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warns
warp
war paint
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Cite this Entry

“Warp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/warp. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on warp

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about warp

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