Words / B2

di-STORT/dɪˈstɔːt/

To distort is to twist something so it is no longer true or natural: a headline distorts the facts; a cheap speaker distorts the sound. Twist is more physical and everyday; misrepresent is a close formal cousin for meaning. Exaggeration can distort, but distort names the damage. Distortion is the noun; it is common in media criticism.

Meaning

To change something so that it is no longer true or natural.

Examples

• “The headline distorted the facts.”
• “Editing out that sentence distorted her argument.”
• “The mirror distorted his face into a long oval.”

Good to know

distort the facts / the sound / the shape. Stronger than slightly change. Noun: distortion.

Near in meaning

twist

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