contorted; contorting; contorts
: to twist in a violent manner
features contorted with fury
: to twist into or as if into a strained shape or expression
His face contorted in a grimace of pain.
Did you know?
Circus contortionists are known for twisting their bodies into pretzels; such contortions tend to be easier for females than for males, and much easier for the young than for the old. When trying to say something uncomfortable or dishonest, people often go through verbal contortions. But when someone else "twists" something you said or did, we usually say instead that they've distorted it.
Synonyms
Examples of contort in a Sentence
His body contorted with pain.
The boy contorted his body to squeeze through the gate.
Her face was contorted with rage.
Recent Examples on the Web
During the plea hearing, his attorney Brian Steel delivered a heated takedown of the state’s case, accusing them of lying and contorting evidence — including Thug’s own lyrics — to make an example of his client.
—
Justin Curto, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2024
An entire shed from one woman’s yard now lay, on its side, contorted, in another yard down the street.
—Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 11 Oct. 2024
Midway through the fourth quarter, Wilson reached back with one arm in the endzone and contorted his body to snatch the ball out of the air while Texans cornerback Kamari Lassiter could only watch on.
—Ben Morse, CNN, 1 Nov. 2024
Rather than contorting their efforts to fit the specifications of a funder’s vision, nonprofits instead receive unrestricted, multi-year grants with minimal reporting requirements.
—Katie Jennings, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for contort 
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Justin Curto, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2024
An entire shed from one woman’s yard now lay, on its side, contorted, in another yard down the street.
—Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 11 Oct. 2024
Midway through the fourth quarter, Wilson reached back with one arm in the endzone and contorted his body to snatch the ball out of the air while Texans cornerback Kamari Lassiter could only watch on.
—Ben Morse, CNN, 1 Nov. 2024
Rather than contorting their efforts to fit the specifications of a funder’s vision, nonprofits instead receive unrestricted, multi-year grants with minimal reporting requirements.
—Katie Jennings, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for contort
Dictionary Entries Near contort
Cite this Entry
“Contort.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contort. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
contort
verb
con·tort
kən-ˈtȯ(ə)rt 
: to twist into an unusual appearance or unnatural shape
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