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
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
The Federal Communications Commission's news distortion investigation into CBS drew a public rebuke from a bipartisan group of five former FCC commissioners, including two former chairmen.
—
ArsTechnica, 28 Mar. 2025
Attention also could be paid to dismantling foreign anticompetitive market distortions, in order to augment the benefits achieved through the Task Force.
—Alden Abbott, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
These reactions occur because they are based in a broad psychological distortion, shared by the majority of Americans, that our nation has made rapid gains toward racial equality and, in fact, the gains have been so large that formerly privileged groups are now being targeted.
—Michael W. Kraus, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2025
True to the postmodern nature of DEI, the efforts to save it are a cacophony of half-truths, distortions, and downright lies.
—Ian Kingsbury, National Review, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distortion
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ArsTechnica, 28 Mar. 2025
Attention also could be paid to dismantling foreign anticompetitive market distortions, in order to augment the benefits achieved through the Task Force.
—Alden Abbott, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
These reactions occur because they are based in a broad psychological distortion, shared by the majority of Americans, that our nation has made rapid gains toward racial equality and, in fact, the gains have been so large that formerly privileged groups are now being targeted.
—Michael W. Kraus, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2025
True to the postmodern nature of DEI, the efforts to save it are a cacophony of half-truths, distortions, and downright lies.
—Ian Kingsbury, National Review, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distortion
Cite this Entry
“Distortion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/distortion. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.
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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