distort Hear it!

distort Definition

dis·tort (di stôrt′)

transitive verb

  1. to twist out of shape; change the usual or normal shape, form, or appearance of
  2. to misrepresent; misstate; pervert to distort the facts
  3. to modify (a wave, sound, signal, etc.) so as to produce an unfaithful reproduction

Etymology: < L distortus, pp. of distorquere, distort < dis-, intens. + torquere, to twist: see tort

Related Forms:

distort Synonyms

distort

v.

  1. To change by pressure

    warp, crush, twist; see bend 1.

  2. To alter the meaning

    pervert, misrepresent, misconstrue, twist; see deceive, lie 1.

  3. To change shape

    contort, sag, twist, slump, knot, get out of shape, buckle, writhe, melt, warp, decline, deteriorate, deform, wrench, collapse, become misshapen, misshape, deviate from the standard form, deviate from the normal form; see also change 4.

distort implies a twisting or wrenching out of the normal or proper shape or form a mind distorted by fear; deform implies a marring of form, appearance, or character, as if by pressure or stress lengthy descriptions that deform the novel; contort suggests an even more violent wrenching out of shape so as to produce a grotesque or unpleasant result a face contorted by pain; warp implies a bending out of shape, as of wood in drying, and, hence, suggests a turning aside from the true or right course judgment warped by prejudice

distort Usage Examples

Object

  • truth: Verse 30 tells us that these are men who " distort the truth " .
  • competition: There is concern that the existence of such a mark may distort competition.
  • prism: This would be harder to sell, particularly via the distorting prism of the BBC.
  • subsidy: Vitally, we have moved away from the trade production distorting subsidies.
  • lens: It is driving looking backward through a distorting lens.
  • reality: While research suggests the government will meet its 2004 child poverty target a new test it has introduced could distort the reality.

Subject

  • medium: The focus, however, is both too limited and has been distorted by media.

Adjective complement

  • due: These optics will have to operate in intense X-ray beams and could therefore distort due to the high power load ( e.g.

Modifying Another Word

  • grossly: Both, of course, were grossly distorted by this.
  • materially: These issues may impact previously published results but are not thought to materially distort the " All Office " results.
  • deliberately: Or perhaps they deliberately distorted their records for propaganda purposes.
  • severely: The Pig Veterinary Society believes that the true cost of veterinary medicines is severely distorted by this anomaly.
  • systematically: These will be systematically distorted over several stages, ultimately yielding a free form and expressive capital.
  • seriously: Inflation at the present rate has a seriously distorting effect on company profitability, given the methods of accounting generally employed in Britain today.

Used with why or when

  • what: The context in practice often limits or distorts what Scripture is heard to say.
  • when: The audio is distorted ONLY when using the Hauppauge card and watching line TV.

Preposition: beyond

  • recognition: His words were distorted beyond any recognition to back up Stalin.

Preposition: in

  • way: Usage Guidelines When using the DMGT logo, please adhere to the following guidelines: The logo shouldn't be distorted in any way.

Preposition: for

  • purpose: It is an abused word, distorted for the purposes of right wing propaganda and low quality marketing.

Preposition: by

  • medium: The focus, however, is both too limited and has been distorted by media.