Definition of distortionnext
as in deformation
the twisting of something out of its natural or normal shape or condition had to total the car due to a distortion of the chassis resulting from collision

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of distortion That is because taking something in 3D, like Earth, and drawing it in flat 2D as a map is always going to result in distortions. — ABC News, 20 Sep. 2026 Ukraine, for instance, supported efforts to correct distortions about Africa, but objected to the depiction of Ukrainian territory currently occupied by Russia. — Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 19 Sep. 2026 Propeller airflow creates a storm of noise, air distortion, and drift. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2026 Even stripping out the distortion from last year’s water and car tax hike, the inflation rate for these energy intensive categories has actually fallen this year. — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for distortion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distortion
deformation
Noun
  • The collision was intense enough to cause deformation far beneath the surface.
    — Elizabeth Rayne, ArsTechnica, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Under a load of 20 tons in addition to its own weight, the platform showed minimal deformation and vibration in relation to its span.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Distortion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distortion. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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