distortion
noun
dis·tor·tion
di-ˈstȯr-shən 
1
: the act of twisting or altering something out of its true, natural, or original state : the act of distorting
a distortion of the facts
2
: the quality or state of being distorted : a product of distorting: such as
a
physics
: a lack of proportionality in an image resulting from defects in the optical system
an image free of distortion
b
: falsified reproduction of an audio or video signal (see signal entry 1 sense 4b) caused by change in the wave form of the original signal
Synonyms
Examples of distortion in a Sentence
had to total the car due to a distortion of the chassis resulting from collision
Recent Examples on the Web
Join 120 others in the comments View Comments The material supplied by CBS showed debatable but normal editing practices, not deliberate distortion.
—
Brian Stelter, CNN, 5 Feb. 2025
Leaders view this attacks as dangerous distortions of facts.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, TIME, 4 Feb. 2025
Manufactured at the beyerdynamic’s headquarters in Heilbronn, Germany, the diaphragm cuts distortion and sharpens response, preventing ear fatigue during long recording sessions and offering a clearer sound compared to its predecessor.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
Even without the distortions from abroad, caused when other states attempt to subsidize and strengthen their own producers, Washington would still have an important role to play in supporting American industry.
—Oren Cass, Foreign Affairs, 16 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for distortion 
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Brian Stelter, CNN, 5 Feb. 2025
Leaders view this attacks as dangerous distortions of facts.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, TIME, 4 Feb. 2025
Manufactured at the beyerdynamic’s headquarters in Heilbronn, Germany, the diaphragm cuts distortion and sharpens response, preventing ear fatigue during long recording sessions and offering a clearer sound compared to its predecessor.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
Even without the distortions from abroad, caused when other states attempt to subsidize and strengthen their own producers, Washington would still have an important role to play in supporting American industry.
—Oren Cass, Foreign Affairs, 16 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for distortion
Dictionary Entries Near distortion
Cite this Entry
“Distortion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/distortion. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
distortion
noun
dis·tor·tion
dis-ˈtȯr-shən
1
: the act of distorting
2
: the condition of being distorted or a product of distortion
Medical Definition
distortion
noun
dis·tor·tion
dis-ˈtȯr-shən
1
: the censorship of unacceptable unconscious impulses so that they are unrecognizable to the ego in the manifest content of a dream
2
: a lack of correspondence of size or intensity in an image resulting from defects in an optical system
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