contorted

[kuh n-tawr-tid]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR contorted ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

twisted in a violent manner; distorted.

twisted back on itself; convoluted.

Nearby words

Origin of contorted

First recorded in 1615–25; contort + -ed²

Related forms

con·tort·ed·ly, adverbcon·tort·ed·ness, nounin·ter·con·tort·ed, adjectiveun·con·tort·ed, adjective

un·con·tort·ed·ly, adverb

contort

[kuh n-tawrt]

verb (used with object)

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

verb (used without object)

to become twisted, distorted, or strained: His face contorted into a grotesque sneer.

Origin of contort

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for contorted

The Hipgnosis founders took a quick look at the strangely-lit photos of contorted bodies….
The Golden Age of Rock Album Covers|Ted Gioia|December 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But then, with their contorted physiques and feral grimaces they speak directly to the Basquiats.
The Art World’s New Gang War|Anthony Haden-Guest|May 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It was sobering: the desperate denial, the contorted excuses.
Why the South Loves Guns|David Sessions|December 16, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Students moaned and grunted as they contorted their bodies into a succession of poses.
Hilaria Thomas, Yoga Instructor (and the Next Mrs. Alec Baldwin)|Lizzie Crocker|May 22, 2012|DAILY BEAST

She was our witness, and the rules were contorted to keep her from testifying.
Sandra Fluke Wanted to Speak Up for Women Before Congress|Matthew DeLuca|February 20, 2012|DAILY BEAST
But long before the earliest Vindhyan rocks were laid down the Transition rocks had been altered and contorted.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 14, Slice 4|Various
He returned to the table and resumed his task, paused and sat gazing absently at the contorted inkwells.
Out of the Ashes|Ethel Watts Mumford
The Wanderer looked up and a benign look came to take the place of the pain and horror which had contorted his features.
Wanderer of Infinity|Harl Vincent
A grin, grotesque in the wavering light, contorted the long lower half of the face for a moment and was gone.
News from the Duchy|Sir Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch
His lips were contorted, his eyes were starting out of their sockets.
The Pharaoh and the Priest|Alexander Glovatski

British Dictionary definitions for contorted

contorted

adjective

twisted out of shape

(esp of petals and sepals in a bud) twisted so that they overlap on one side

Derived Formscontortedly, adverbcontortedness, noun

contort

verb

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

Derived Formscontortive, adjective

Word Origin for contort

C15: from Latin contortus intricate, obscure, from contorquēre to whirl around, from torquēre to twist, wrench

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

Word Origin and History for contorted

contort

early 15c., from Latin contortus, past participle of contorquere "to whirl, twist together," from com- "together" or intensive (see com-) + torquere "to twist" (see thwart). Related: Contorted; contorting.

contorted

adjective

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RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of contorted

contort

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

Origin of contort

Examples from the Web for contorted

contorted

adjective

contort

verb

Word Origin for contort

contort