tortuous
full of twists, turns, or bends; twisting, winding, or crooked: a tortuous path.
not direct or straightforward, as in procedure or speech; circuitous: tortuous negotiations lasting for months.
deceitfully indirect or morally crooked, as proceedings, methods, or policy; devious.
Origin of tortuous
1confusables note For tortuous
Other words for tortuous
Other words from tortuous
- 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
Words that may be confused with tortuous
Words Nearby tortuous
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use tortuous in a sentence
A neuron receives an electrical zap, which travels down its tortuous branches.
This Artificial Neuron Uses Dopamine to Communicate With Brain Cells | Shelly Fan | August 16, 2022 | Singularity HubThe Chicago-based restaurant chain’s entry into the Soviet Union, nearly two years before the fall of the communist state in December 1991, was anything but straightforward and reportedly followed 14 years of tortuous negotiations.
As Starbucks Exits Russia, Another Symbol of American Capitalism Fades | Eloise Barry | May 24, 2022 | TimeFailure, as seen in a previously tragic case, could lead to a tortuous death.
After First Pig-to-Human Heart Transplant, Scientists Aim to Make It Routine | Shelly Fan | January 25, 2022 | Singularity HubFurther study of their chemistry revealed a tortuous journey that included several phases of cooling, crystalizing, heating, and remelting.
The Ghost of Ancient Earth’s Magma Oceans Found in Greenland Rocks | Jason Dorrier | March 14, 2021 | Singularity HubWicker’s tortuous justification reflects the difficulty Republicans are having in finding a message to counter the popularity of the legislation.
The Democrats’ coronavirus relief package is popular. Republicans hope to dent it. | Marianna Sotomayor, Mike DeBonis | March 12, 2021 | Washington Post
All of the various things I do I love doing, and occasionally I find them tortuous.
In 2011, after tortuous negotiations, a deal was struck for $1.2 trillion in spending cuts over 10 years.
Markets Approve of the Way U.S. Political System Handles Debt Problems | Robert Shapiro | January 3, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTSo why take the tortuous and offensive back-door route to appreciating Wharton?
Why Jonathan Franzen Can’t Appreciate Edith Wharton | Marina Budhos | March 1, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTThe Quetta Shura official says the negotiations with the French were tortuous.
Now, negotiations will be much slower and more tortuous, but likely will begin before 2010.
Long, tortuous lines of light showed immense numbers of large fish darting about as if in consternation.
Gospel Philosophy | J. H. WardIt is in threading these tortuous windings that many a fearless venturer has lost foot-hold and been utterly cast away.
A Cursory History of Swearing | Julian SharmanA magnificent view is had from Sparrow Hill; the ascent is made by a steep and tortuous road.
Ways of War and Peace | Delia AustrianThe river gradually became narrower and more tortuous as we approached its head waters.
This defile was extremely tortuous, and was never without water even in the low tides.
Toilers of the Sea | Victor Hugo
British Dictionary definitions for tortuous
/ (ˈtɔːtjʊəs) /
twisted or winding: a tortuous road
devious or cunning: a tortuous mind
intricate
Derived forms of tortuous
- tortuously, adverb
- tortuousness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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