distortion

noun

dis·​tor·​tion di-ˈstȯr-shən 

1

: the act of twisting or altering something out of its true, natural, or original state : the act of distorting

a distortion of the facts

2

: the quality or state of being distorted : a product of distorting: such as

a

physics : a lack of proportionality in an image resulting from defects in the optical system

an image free of distortion

b

: falsified reproduction of an audio or video signal (see signal entry 1 sense 4b) caused by change in the wave form of the original signal

distortional

di-ˈstȯr-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• contortion
• deformation
• misshaping
• screwing
• squinching
• torturing
• warping

Examples of distortion in a Sentence

had to total the car due to a distortion of the chassis resulting from collision

Recent Examples on the Web

Teaching how and why the Holocaust happened can make the Holocaust relevant and provoke critical thinking, something sorely needed in a world awash in online denial, distortion, and antisemitism. —Greg Schneider and Ambassador Stuart E. Eizenstat, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025

Those estimates may also be valuable in multi-party trade negotiations focused on Chinese distortions, which pose particularly serious challenges for U.S. trade and the world economy. —Alden Abbott, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025

Rosenberg said while only 4% of respondents said the Holocaust was a myth and did not happen, there was a worrying rise in the amount of historical distortion and bending of the truth. —John Towfighi, CNN, 14 Jan. 2025

Pulling back the distortion profile slider from 100 to 75 nets in perfectly straight lines. —PCMAG, 6 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see distort

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

distortion

noun

dis·​tor·​tion dis-ˈtȯr-shən 

1

: the act of distorting

2

: the condition of being distorted or a product of distortion

distortional

-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective

Medical Definition

distortion

noun

dis·​tor·​tion dis-ˈtȯr-shən 

1

: the censorship of unacceptable unconscious impulses so that they are unrecognizable to the ego in the manifest content of a dream

2

: a lack of correspondence of size or intensity in an image resulting from defects in an optical system