contort
verb
con·tort kən-ˈtȯrt 
contorted; contorting; contorts
transitive verb
: to twist in a violent manner
features contorted with fury
intransitive verb
: to twist into or as if into a strained shape or expression
His face contorted in a grimace of pain.
contortion
kən-ˈtȯr-shən
noun contortive
kən-ˈtȯr-tiv
adjective 
Did you know?
Circus contortionists are known for twisting their bodies into pretzels; such contortions tend to be easier for females than for males, and much easier for the young than for the old. When trying to say something uncomfortable or dishonest, people often go through verbal contortions. But when someone else "twists" something you said or did, we usually say instead that they've distorted it.
Synonyms
- deform
- distort
- misshape
- screw
- squinch
- torture
- warp
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
His body contorted with pain. The boy contorted his body to squeeze through the gate. Her face was contorted with rage.
Recent Examples on the Web Sign Up Walmart argued that the agency is trying to contort a regulation called the Telemarketing Sales Rule that was aimed to go after telemarketers and those who actively help them, of which Walmart is neither. 
Anne D’innocenzio, BostonGlobe.com, 29 Aug. 2022 Sima’s strong-willed client Aparna Shewakramani became a fan favorite for refusing to contort herself to fit other people’s expectations. Sonia Rao, Washington Post, 17 Aug. 2022 The Joby GripTight is a popular and affordable tripod with legs that can contort to stay stable on almost any surface, though a height-adjustable tripod like this might be a better option. Julian Chokkattu, Wired, 20 July 2022 The workshop participants — a 50/50 split of Circus Project troupe members and media people like me — learned how to contort their bodies, hula hoop, and move just a little bit more like a real Cirque performer. Zella Hanson | The Oregonian/oregonlive, oregonlive, 30 June 2022 If a potential solution requires your business to contort its workflows to fit a new product, take the time to reconsider your needs and what your solution does to meet those needs. Will Moxley, Forbes, 27 June 2022 This wasn't a World Cup qualifier, so U.S. Soccer shouldn't need to contort the rules of the ticketing process to ensure a majority, pro-U.S. crowd (which Wednesday still seemed to be, by the way). Pat Brennan, The Enquirer, 2 June 2022 Adults, however, will have to squeeze, bend, squish and contort their arms and legs to sit in some three-row SUVs. Bymorgan Korn, ABC News, 8 May 2022 In 1692, a group of young girls, including Parris’ own daughter, Betty, and his niece, Abigail, began to bark like dogs and contort their bodies after allegedly attempting to divine their future. Brooklyn White, Essence, 29 Apr. 2022 See More
Anne D’innocenzio, BostonGlobe.com, 29 Aug. 2022 Sima’s strong-willed client Aparna Shewakramani became a fan favorite for refusing to contort herself to fit other people’s expectations. Sonia Rao, Washington Post, 17 Aug. 2022 The Joby GripTight is a popular and affordable tripod with legs that can contort to stay stable on almost any surface, though a height-adjustable tripod like this might be a better option. Julian Chokkattu, Wired, 20 July 2022 The workshop participants — a 50/50 split of Circus Project troupe members and media people like me — learned how to contort their bodies, hula hoop, and move just a little bit more like a real Cirque performer. Zella Hanson | The Oregonian/oregonlive, oregonlive, 30 June 2022 If a potential solution requires your business to contort its workflows to fit a new product, take the time to reconsider your needs and what your solution does to meet those needs. Will Moxley, Forbes, 27 June 2022 This wasn't a World Cup qualifier, so U.S. Soccer shouldn't need to contort the rules of the ticketing process to ensure a majority, pro-U.S. crowd (which Wednesday still seemed to be, by the way). Pat Brennan, The Enquirer, 2 June 2022 Adults, however, will have to squeeze, bend, squish and contort their arms and legs to sit in some three-row SUVs. Bymorgan Korn, ABC News, 8 May 2022 In 1692, a group of young girls, including Parris’ own daughter, Betty, and his niece, Abigail, began to bark like dogs and contort their bodies after allegedly attempting to divine their future. Brooklyn White, Essence, 29 Apr. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Latin contortus, past participle of contorquēre, from com- + torquēre to twist — more at torture entry 1
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
Kids Definition
contort
verb
con·tort kən-ˈtȯrt
contorted; contorting
: to give an unusual appearance or unnatural shape to by twisting
His face contorted with anger.
contortion
noun
as in deformation
the twisting of something out of its natural or normal shape or condition the comedian is renowned for his seemingly endless variety of facial contortions Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- deformation
- distortion
- deformity
- warping
- misshaping
- torturing
- disfigurement
- screwing
- squinching
- defacement
- malformation