distort

/dəˈstɔrt/

/dɪsˈtɔt/

Other forms: distorted; distorting; distorts

Distort means to twist out of shape. When you look at a tree through a twisting kaleidoscope, you distort its image, making its branches and leaves look wavy and misshapen.

Distort is a verb that means to change the shape of something. You can distort pretzel dough by twisting it into the shape of an "S" instead of a normal pretzel shape. You can also distort, or change, the meaning of something. When one distorts the truth, it might not be an out-and-out lie; it could just be an exaggeration — like telling your pals you caught a six-foot tuna when you actually landed a six-inch minnow.

Definitions of distort

1. verb

   twist and press out of shape
   synonyms: contort, deform, wring

   wrench, wring

   twist and compress, as if in pain or anguish

   wring

   twist, squeeze, or compress in order to extract liquid

   types:

   morph

   change shape as via computer animation

   type of:

   twine, twist

   form into a spiral shape
2. verb

   alter the shape of (something) by stress
   synonyms: deform, strain

   types:

   jaundice

   distort adversely

   type of:

   form, shape

   give shape or form to
3. verb

   form into a spiral shape
   synonyms: twine, twist

   types:

   wrench, wring

   twist and compress, as if in pain or anguish

   contort, deform, wring

   twist and press out of shape

   entangle, mat, snarl, tangle

   twist together or entwine into a confusing mass

   enlace, entwine, interlace, intertwine, lace, twine

   spin,wind, or twist together

   spin

   work natural fibers into a thread

   interweave, weave

   interlace by or as if by weaving

   morph

   change shape as via computer animation

   plait

   weave into plaits

   felt

   mat together and make felt-like

   enmesh, ensnarl, mesh

   entangle or catch in (or as if in) a mesh

   wind, wreathe

   form into a wreath

   wattle

   interlace to form wattle

   inweave

   weave together into a fabric or design

   raddle, ruddle

   twist or braid together, interlace

   plash, pleach

   interlace the shoots of

   shoot

   variegate by interweaving weft threads of different colors

   tinsel

   interweave with tinsel

   braid, pleach

   form or weave into a braid or braids

   knot, ravel, tangle

   tangle or complicate

   splice

   join by interweaving strands

   type of:

   change form, change shape, deform

   assume a different shape or form
4. verb

   affect as in thought or feeling
   synonyms: color, colour, tinge

   type of:

   affect, bear on, bear upon, impact, touch, touch on

   have an effect upon
5. verb

   make false by mutilation or addition; as of a message or story
   synonyms: falsify, garble, warp

   types:

   mangle, murder, mutilate

   alter so as to make unrecognizable

   type of:

   belie, misrepresent

   represent falsely