distort

USdi-STORT/dɪˈstoɹt/Saydi-STAWTUK/dɪˈstɔːt/AUS/dɪˈstoːt/

Formsdistorts, distorting, distorted

4 meanings of distort

1
verbtransitive
To pull, push, or twist something out of its normal shape.
Like pressing on a soft clay shape until it no longer looks the same.
The heat began to distort the plastic ruler.
Too much pressure can distort the metal frame.
Similardeform, warp, twist, bend, contort
Note
2
verbtransitive
To change facts or words so they give a wrong idea.
Like telling a story but changing parts so it no longer matches the truth.
The newspaper distorted what the mayor actually said.
Please don't distort my words to make me sound rude.
Similarmisrepresent, twist, falsify, skew, slant
Note
3
verbintransitive
To slowly lose its proper shape and become bent or twisted.
Like a candle bending out of shape when it gets too warm.
The wooden door began to distort after years of damp weather.
Old vinyl records distort when left out in the sun.
Similarwarp, buckle, deform, bend
Note

Less common meaning

4
adjectiveobsolete
Twisted or bent out of its normal shape.
Like a reflection in a bent spoon that looks all wrong.
The candle's glow threw a distort shadow across the floor.
Her face was ugly and her mouth distort.
1596, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie QueeneHere, distort means twisted out of shape.
Note

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Origin

From Latin distorqueō, meaning "to twist."