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
Synonyms
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
Since the late 1990s, Wool has used erasure, obfuscation, shifts in scale, distortion, and collage to generate new imagery from preexisting works, circling back while tumbling forward.
—
Chris Murtha, ARTnews.com, 3 July 2024
Biden missed chance after chance to push back against former President Trump’s distortions on immigration, the economy, the opioid crisis and even his own health.
—Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2024
At Prager, this confluence of rage and reality distortion starts at the very top and trickles down.
—Pat Beall, Orlando Sentinel, 16 June 2024
In this case a solid computation engine would need to be added to adjust displayed image along the edges in a way that takes out physical image distortion with the adjusted image.
—Scharon Harding, Ars Technica, 31 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for distortion 
Chris Murtha, ARTnews.com, 3 July 2024
Biden missed chance after chance to push back against former President Trump’s distortions on immigration, the economy, the opioid crisis and even his own health.
—Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2024
At Prager, this confluence of rage and reality distortion starts at the very top and trickles down.
—Pat Beall, Orlando Sentinel, 16 June 2024
In this case a solid computation engine would need to be added to adjust displayed image along the edges in a way that takes out physical image distortion with the adjusted image.
—Scharon Harding, Ars Technica, 31 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for distortion
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'distortion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near distortion
Cite this Entry
“Distortion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/distortion. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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
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