tortuous

[ tawr-choo-uhs ]

adjective

1. full of twists, turns, or bends; twisting, winding, or crooked:

   a tortuous path.

   Synonyms: serpentine, sinuous, bent

2. not direct or straightforward, as in procedure or speech; circuitous:

   tortuous negotiations lasting for months.

   Synonyms: indirect, roundabout, evasive

3. deceitfully indirect or morally crooked, as proceedings, methods, or policy; devious.

tortuous

/ ˈtɔːtjʊəs /

adjective

1. twisted or winding

   a tortuous road

2. devious or cunning

   a tortuous mind

3. intricate

Confusables Note

See torturous.

Derived Forms

• ˈtortuously, adverb
• ˈtortuousness, noun

Other Words From

• tortu·ous·ly adverb
• tortu·ous·ness noun
• non·tortu·ous adjective
• non·tortu·ous·ly adverb
• un·tortu·ous adjective
• un·tortu·ous·ly adverb
• un·tortu·ous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of tortuous¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin tortuōsus, equivalent to tortu(s) “a twisting” ( torquēre “to twist, bend” + -tus suffix of verbal action) + -ōsus adjective suffix; -ous

Example Sentences

All of the various things I do I love doing, and occasionally I find them tortuous.

From The Daily Beast

In 2011, after tortuous negotiations, a deal was struck for $1.2 trillion in spending cuts over 10 years.

From The Daily Beast

So why take the tortuous and offensive back-door route to appreciating Wharton?

From The Daily Beast

The Quetta Shura official says the negotiations with the French were tortuous.

From The Daily Beast

Now, negotiations will be much slower and more tortuous, but likely will begin before 2010.

From The Daily Beast

Long, tortuous lines of light showed immense numbers of large fish darting about as if in consternation.

From Project Gutenberg

It is in threading these tortuous windings that many a fearless venturer has lost foot-hold and been utterly cast away.

From Project Gutenberg

A magnificent view is had from Sparrow Hill; the ascent is made by a steep and tortuous road.

From Project Gutenberg

The river gradually became narrower and more tortuous as we approached its head waters.

From Project Gutenberg

This defile was extremely tortuous, and was never without water even in the low tides.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• circuitous
• convoluted
• indirect
• labyrinthine
• meandering
• serpentine
• twisting
• winding