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

The closest overhead bins are filled with roller bags, so I contort myself to shove my backpack beneath the seat in front of mine.

From Literature

But first and foremost, Bad Omens are gifted musicians, and whatever eldritch magic Sebastian wields onstage will always be bolstered by a serious band contorting metal, dark pop and electronic music.

From Los Angeles Times

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

Related Words

• deform
• writhe