as in distorting
to twist (something) out of a natural or normal shape or condition
the acrobat is able to contort his body so that it almost looks like a pretzel
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Recent Examples of contorting
But first and foremost, Bad Omens are gifted musicians, and whatever eldritch magic Sebastian wields onstage will always be bolstered by a serious band contorting metal, dark pop and electronic music.
—
Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
In the first round of the 1993 tournament, against LSU Kidd’s drive through the lane and body-contorting, banker high off the backboard with one second left gave Cal a 66-64 win.
—Brad Townsend, Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026
But film and television stars lately have been contorting themselves to say less.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 5 Feb. 2026
Because you’re done contorting, shrinking, softening, and waiting for permission.
—Samyra, SELF, 14 Jan. 2026
The Thunder, contorting around the Frenchman’s wingspan, shot better than 68 percent inside the paint on just one fewer attempt than San Antonio.
—Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
Then, while Williams was stoic, Storrie feigned nervousness about presenting, contorting himself into knots.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2026
This is the city of Antoni Gaudi, the architect whose distinct buildings define Barcelona, contorting possibility.
—Jon Wertheim, CBS News, 1 Dec. 2025
Outside that moment, everyone resumed contorting themselves to serve the Establishment in one way or another to survive.
—Eddie Huang, Curbed, 9 Oct. 2025
Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
In the first round of the 1993 tournament, against LSU Kidd’s drive through the lane and body-contorting, banker high off the backboard with one second left gave Cal a 66-64 win.
—Brad Townsend, Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026
But film and television stars lately have been contorting themselves to say less.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 5 Feb. 2026
Because you’re done contorting, shrinking, softening, and waiting for permission.
—Samyra, SELF, 14 Jan. 2026
The Thunder, contorting around the Frenchman’s wingspan, shot better than 68 percent inside the paint on just one fewer attempt than San Antonio.
—Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
Then, while Williams was stoic, Storrie feigned nervousness about presenting, contorting himself into knots.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2026
This is the city of Antoni Gaudi, the architect whose distinct buildings define Barcelona, contorting possibility.
—Jon Wertheim, CBS News, 1 Dec. 2025
Outside that moment, everyone resumed contorting themselves to serve the Establishment in one way or another to survive.
—Eddie Huang, Curbed, 9 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contorting
Verb
-
The front has square glass block masonry on the lower half, which lets light in while reducing what's visible outside by distorting the view.—
Stefan Ionescu
March 30,
New Atlas,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Kyle is just outing herself as a gossip and is distorting what everyone has to say to try to one-up Dorit in her own life.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Their atoms are held together by strong chemical bonds and arranged in a stable crystal structure that resists deforming, even at extreme temperatures.—
Vitor Rielli,
The Conversation,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Like stirring honey instead of water, deforming a thicker, more viscous interior requires more energy.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Two recent cases of parents in Round Lake Beach and Fox Lake charged with several counts each of torturing and abusing their children — in one case allegedly causing a son’s death — point to the need for some sort of parental licensing.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
-
The Ayatollah ruled as a brutal dictator, killing and torturing his own people, imposing harsh restrictions on basic freedoms, and put the lives of our troops and global allies constantly at risk.—
Derek Tran,
Oc Register,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
To make a profit from their business, American companies sent their manufacturing facilities overseas, screwing American workers by incurring smaller labor costs, therefore profiting rich investors who never had to work for it and used their money to make more money off the American consumer.—
Jay Reddick,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 Mar. 2026
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All the setup required was screwing in the legs.—
Noah Kaufman,
Architectural Digest,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Unlike formulas that are more focused on dramatic volume or length, curling mascaras lift, fan, and define each lash like a lash curler would, so your eyes look wide awake even before your first coffee.—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Sveindís Jónsdóttir brought the faithful to their feet with a curling shot from just inside the 18-yard box, tying the score in the 47th minute.—
Damian Calhoun,
Daily News,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contorting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contorting. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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