distorted; distorting; distorts
1
: to twist (see twist entry 1 sense 3b) out of the true meaning or proportion : to alter to give a false or unnatural picture or account
distorted the facts
2
: to twist out of a natural, normal, or original shape or condition
a face distorted by pain
also
: to cause to be perceived unnaturally
the new lights distorted colors
The singer's voice was electronically distorted.
3
: pervert
distort justice
: to become distorted
Heat caused the wax figures to distort.
also
: to cause a twisting from the true, natural, or normal
distorter
noun
Examples of distort in a Sentence
Her face was distorted by pain.
The odd camera angle distorted her figure in the photograph.
The sound of the guitar was distorted.
Heat caused the plastic to distort.
She felt he was distorting the facts.
The story was distorted by the press.
The loss of both her parents at an early age distorted her outlook on life.
Recent Examples on the Web
Nevertheless, rumors about Altman’s personal life have been exploited and distorted by competitors.
—
Ronan Farrow, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
By taking on the condition of a servant, the Son reveals the Father’s glory, overturning the worldly standards that so often distort our conscience.
—Mike Snider, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
Objects were frequently distorted or missing key components.
—ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
One slide showed the Pirates of the Caribbean alum on a FaceTime call with Daisy, whose face was distorted by a funny filter and framed by blonde side bangs.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for distort
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Ronan Farrow, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
By taking on the condition of a servant, the Son reveals the Father’s glory, overturning the worldly standards that so often distort our conscience.
—Mike Snider, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
Objects were frequently distorted or missing key components.
—ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
One slide showed the Pirates of the Caribbean alum on a FaceTime call with Daisy, whose face was distorted by a funny filter and framed by blonde side bangs.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for distort
Cite this Entry
“Distort.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/distort. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
distort
verb
dis·tort
dis-ˈtȯ(ə)rt 
1
: to tell in a way that is misleading : misrepresent
distorted the facts
2
: to twist out of a natural, normal, or original shape or condition
distorter
noun
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