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

Finally, the treble was so smooth and restrained, never straying into sibilance or even a hint of distortion. —Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

First, the lawmakers wrote, there are cases in which an insurance company revises the damage amounts logged by a field adjuster by more than 90 percent — the type of distortion reported on by the Post and CBS. —Saul Elbein, The Hill, 4 Nov. 2024

Some people even report a sense of time distortion, with time either speeding up or slowing down. —Lindsey Getz, Parents, 1 Nov. 2024

Then there was a sudden cut, suggesting that some of Trump’s distortions were removed. —Brian Stelter, CNN, 24 Oct. 2024

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