distort
What does "distort" mean?
To distort means to pull or twist something out of its original, intended shape. Mentally, imagine a reflection in a funhouse mirror where a person’s face looks stretched, squashed, or wavy rather than its natural appearance. Beyond physical objects, we use this word to describe the twisting of facts, ideas, or sounds. When someone distorts the truth, they are intentionally misrepresenting it so that it is no longer accurate or objective. It often implies a negative or dishonest shift in perception.
"distort" in conversation
Discussing a bad audio recording
The audio from the interview is totally distorted.
The audio from the interview is totally distorted.
Yeah, the microphone was picking up way too much wind noise.
Yeah, the microphone was picking up way too much wind noise.
Used here to describe a literal physical signal (sound waves) being corrupted.
Debating a news story
Don't believe everything you read; the media often distorts the facts to get more clicks.
Don't believe everything you read; the media often distorts the facts to get more clicks.
I know, it’s frustrating how they manipulate the context.
I know, it’s frustrating how they manipulate the context.
Used here in a figurative sense to mean misrepresenting the truth.
"distort" in a sentence
The heat caused the metal frame to distort.
The heat caused the metal frame to distort.
The funhouse mirror distorted his reflection, making him look very tall and thin.
The funhouse mirror distorted his reflection, making him look very tall and thin.
She felt that his summary of the meeting was a deliberate attempt to distort her original proposal.
She felt that his summary of the meeting was a deliberate attempt to distort her original proposal.
