distorted

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "distorted" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has been twisted or changed from its original shape or appearance. Example sentence: After the explosion, the building was badly distorted and appeared unrecognizable.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Apparently under pressure from hardliners back home, he later claimed that his comments had been distorted.

The Guardian

When your only contact with the human world is news reports of scandal and murder and the narcissists and witch-finders on Twitter, your sense of what people are actually like becomes distorted.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Once distorted by first-past-the-post and up against a unionist vote split three ways, it was enough to produce a landslide.

The Guardian

The source claimed that even the conventional warrant system has been distorted – whereas police used to ask for a warrant before intercepting a target's communications, they will now ask GCHQ to intercept the target's communications and then use that information to seek a warrant.

The Guardian

Lumping an extra fixture on to this trusted system would have destroyed this balance and so distorted the title race.

The Guardian - Sport

He said the national debate around immigration had been distorted by Ukip and threatened to demonise people who had come to the UK over the past 50 years to work and bring up their children.

The Guardian

Looking upon hands and feet – let alone faces – so distorted by disease that they appear mineralised, I was reminded of Max Ernst's use of decalcomania to create strange and post-human landscapes.

The Guardian - Arts

George Osborne cut the 50% top tax rate before it had bedded in, so that the data was still distorted by wealthy people paying themselves early to avoid its effect.

The Guardian - Opinion

Merely getting paid for opinion itself does not mean it gets distorted, unless you're foolish enough to change your opinion to suit an outlet.

The Guardian - Opinion

These incidents, already awful enough, are often amplified and distorted by Russian media, leading to even more anger among the crowds in what is becoming a downward spiral of hatred and violence.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The most distorted galaxies, therefore, were those twice as far from Earth as the gravitational lens distorting them.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "distorted", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being distorted and the nature or cause of the distortion. This provides clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "distorted" simply to mean "incorrect". "Distorted" implies a change from an original state, not just a state of being wrong. For example, say "the facts are incorrect" instead of "the facts are distorted" if there's no prior state to compare to.

Linguistic Context

The word "distorted" primarily functions as a past participle or adjective, often describing something that has been altered from its original form, either physically or figuratively. As Ludwig AI explains, it signifies a change from an original state, going beyond a simple state of being wrong.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "distorted" is a versatile term used to describe something that has been altered from its original form or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions primarily as a past participle or adjective, and its usage spans various contexts, from news and media to formal business and scientific writing. While alternatives like "warped", "skewed", and "deformed" offer similar meanings, "distorted" carries a nuanced implication of a change from a prior, recognizable state. Remember to use "distorted" when indicating an alteration, not simply an incorrect state.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

warped

Focuses on a bending or twisting out of shape, often implying a more physical deformation than "distorted".

skewed

Implies a bias or lack of accuracy, often in data or information rather than physical form.

deformed

Suggests a more severe and permanent alteration of shape, often with negative connotations.

twisted

Emphasizes a winding or contorted shape, or a perversion of truth or meaning.

falsified

Specifically indicates that something has been deliberately altered to mislead or deceive.

misrepresented

Highlights an inaccurate or misleading portrayal of something, often unintentionally.

contorted

Implies a more extreme and unnatural twisting or distortion, often physically.

altered

A general term for any kind of change or modification, which can encompass distortion.

tampered with

Suggests unauthorized or inappropriate modification, often with harmful intent.

mangled

Suggests severe damage and disfigurement, often through violent means.

FAQs

How can I use "distorted" in a sentence?

You can use "distorted" to describe something that has been twisted or changed from its original shape or appearance. For example, "The image in the funhouse mirror was severely distorted."

What words are similar to "distorted"?

Alternatives include "warped", "skewed", or "deformed", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "distorted" instead of "falsified"?

"Distorted" implies an alteration of an original state, while "falsified" implies a deliberate attempt to deceive. Use "falsified" when there's intent to mislead.

What's the difference between "distorted" and "exaggerated"?

"Distorted" suggests that something's shape, appearance, or representation has been altered, often making it difficult to recognize or understand its original form. "Exaggerated" implies that something is represented as being larger, better, or worse than it actually is. While exaggeration can lead to a distorted view, the terms aren't interchangeable.