contorted

[ kuhn-tawr-tid ]

adjective

1. twisted in a violent manner; distorted.
2. twisted back on itself; convoluted.

contorted

/ kənˈtɔːtɪd /

adjective

1. twisted out of shape
2. (esp of petals and sepals in a bud) twisted so that they overlap on one side

Derived Forms

• conˈtortedly, adverb
• conˈtortedness, noun

Other Words From

• con·torted·ly adverb
• con·torted·ness noun
• inter·con·torted adjective
• uncon·torted adjective
• uncon·torted·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of contorted¹

First recorded in 1615–25; contort + -ed ²

Example Sentences

Without being didactic, Smith debunks contorted arguments that the Civil War was not about slavery.

From Washington Post

This is what the Fairfax County School Board has been wrestling with in a drawn-out, contorted debate about whether to expand the holiday calendar to add Jewish and Muslim holidays, something school districts across the nation already have done.

From Washington Post

For most proteins, researchers have the sequence of amino acids in the ribbon but not the contorted shape they fold into.

From MIT Technology Review

The Hipgnosis founders took a quick look at the strangely-lit photos of contorted bodies….

From The Daily Beast

But then, with their contorted physiques and feral grimaces they speak directly to the Basquiats.

From The Daily Beast

Her face contorted and her left hand retreated from the microphone to the back of her neck.

From The Daily Beast

It was sobering: the desperate denial, the contorted excuses.

From The Daily Beast

The plea bargain was swiftly contorted into an outright means of extorting inculpatory perjury to bring down targeted individuals.

From The Daily Beast

Their eyes care little for the soft, changing colours of the ocean or the vast, contorted masses of the clouds.

From Project Gutenberg

He made an effort, contorted himself as much as he could, and penetrated into the cave as far as he was able.

From Project Gutenberg

His body was contorted by gasping sobs, and his feet tapped the floor with the rapidity of those of a man running at top speed.

From Project Gutenberg

The bird's-eye maple has its fibers so singularly contorted as to produce numerous little knots which look like the eye of a bird.

From Project Gutenberg

As she watched him he looked at her, and a spasm of pain contorted his face.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• curved
• curving
• devious
• errant
• gnarled
• meandering
• serpentine
• sinuous
• twisted
• twisting
• winding