contort

American  

[kuhn-tawrt] / kənˈtɔrt /

verb (used with object)

1. to twist, bend, or draw out of shape; distort.

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verb (used without object)

1. to become twisted, distorted, or strained.

   His face contorted into a grotesque sneer.

contort British  

/ kənˈtɔːt /

verb

1. to twist or bend severely out of place or shape, esp in a strained manner

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Other Word Forms

• contortive adjective

Etymology

Origin of contort

1555–65; < Latin contortus twisted together, past participle of contorquēre. See con-, tort

Example Sentences

Yu Ji’s cement sculptures take the shape of contorted human bodies—not uncomfortable but limberly twisted and folded—that are missing limbs; their contrasting materials and postures at once suggest permanence and evanescence.

From The Wall Street Journal

He developed an uncanny ability to create his own shot under the most difficult of circumstances, manipulating defenses and contorting his way through the lane with ease.

From Los Angeles Times

Across two hours, Buckley’s Bride shoots, kicks, contorts, dances, scrapes, whizzes, licks and screams, all the while coming no closer to her true self than she was at the start of the film.

From Salon

Ibrox contorted itself as the goalkeeper performed heroics and then the place let out a guttural groan as Hatate made it third time lucky.

From BBC

Davidson would have to be carried by her teammates and coaches to the bench, where her face contorted in pain as trainers examined her.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• deform
• writhe