contorted

[ kuhn-tawr-tid ]

adjective

1. twisted in a violent manner; distorted.
2. twisted back on itself; convoluted.

contorted

/ kənˈtɔːtɪd /

adjective

1. twisted out of shape
2. (esp of petals and sepals in a bud) twisted so that they overlap on one side

Derived Forms

• conˈtortedness, noun
• conˈtortedly, adverb

Other Words From

• con·torted·ly adverb
• con·torted·ness noun
• inter·con·torted adjective
• uncon·torted adjective
• uncon·torted·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of contorted¹

First recorded in 1615–25; contort + -ed ²

Example Sentences

For more than an hour, I had twisted and contorted myself trying without success to get a grip on that two-inch piece of silicone.

From Salon

“She bounded around with so many positions and backtracked and so desperately contorted ... . She is more consistent now than she was then.”

From Los Angeles Times

Not long ago I came upon a zombie-like scene of contorted people gathered in the northwest corner of the park, their bodies rigid from overdoses of fentanyl or other killer drugs.

From Los Angeles Times

But the moves were spectacular - regularly drawing 'oooohs' from the crowd as they spun around, balanced on their head or one hand, swung through flairs or froze on the spot while contorted.

From BBC

With two outs and two strikes, he contorted his body to check what would have been a game-ending swing.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• curved
• curving
• devious
• errant
• gnarled
• meandering
• serpentine
• sinuous
• twisted
• twisting
• winding