as in distorts
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 contorts
At this point, you’d be forgiven for expecting a straightforward werewolf story, but Cassidy’s novel stretches and contorts into something far stranger, more audacious, and ultimately, both heartbreaking and triumphant.
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Emma Alpern, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025
With an almost modern-day Charlie Chaplin-esque physicality, Moss dances, contorts, and frolics amongst the shoes, their boxes, and fixtures in the store for a mesmerizing, can't-look-away effect.
—Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Stewart contorts his face with a look of disbelief when asked if Montgomery has stayed on him.
—Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contorts
Verb
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Freedom from want mattered because deprivation distorts judgment.—
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When identity distorts reality Social identity can shape how people interpret even objectively true facts.—
Verb
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In free fall, the sheet deforms into an upside-down bell when a weight is attached at its center.—
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According to Burlison, the video shows a high-speed object—presumably the missile—hitting the orb, which then deforms, tumbles, and sheds smaller fragments, one barely visible.—
Verb
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Later, in one of the movie's most satisfying scenes, Millie locks Andrew in the attic and tortures him by loudly smashing each plate.—
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The mistake tortures them, which prompts the couple to try and solve the mystery by producing a fake play in an attempt to get their ex-neighbor Mary (Chloe Cherry) to audition.—
Cite this Entry
“Contorts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contorts. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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