as in winding
marked by a long series of irregular curves
a tortuous mountain road marked by numerous hairpin turns
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tortuous
An anecdote from Shostakovich’s last years adds a grace note to the tortuous history of the Fifth.
—
Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2024
Throughout it all, the Biden administration, with allies Egypt and Qatar, engaged in tortuous talks to reach a cessation of hostilities.
—Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2024
For example, having a redundant colon (also known as a tortuous colon) means that part of the large intestine is longer than normal.
—Cristina Mutchler, Health, 19 Oct. 2024
At the same time, the path to a U.S. listing has become increasingly tortuous for high-profile Chinese companies.
—Drew Bernstein, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tortuous 
Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2024
Throughout it all, the Biden administration, with allies Egypt and Qatar, engaged in tortuous talks to reach a cessation of hostilities.
—Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2024
For example, having a redundant colon (also known as a tortuous colon) means that part of the large intestine is longer than normal.
—Cristina Mutchler, Health, 19 Oct. 2024
At the same time, the path to a U.S. listing has become increasingly tortuous for high-profile Chinese companies.
—Drew Bernstein, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tortuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tortuous
Adjective
-
Andrew Greif Washington takes the lead, 10-7, after a long and winding drive lasting 11 plays, 78 yards and full of drama.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC News,
19 Jan. 2025
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The film represented a major step on what turned out to be a long and winding road to his ultimate cinematic self-reinvention.—
Richard Brody,
The New Yorker,
17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Contrasting how her female characters feel with the expectations men put on them, Blichfeldt makes clear that impossible beauty standards are the unfairest of them all, whether in the real world or this twisted fictional kingdom.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
24 Jan. 2025
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Others construct their masterpieces out of twisted pieces of metal or hot-pink PVC.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The process of getting a visa is already gnarly with serpentine rules, arbitrary quotas and long delays.—
Rashi Shrivastava,
Forbes,
21 Jan. 2025
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The in-store experience will include red shopping bags, which symbolize good luck and prosperity in the new year, which have been redesigned with serpentine shapes in the classic T-monogram.—
Nick Hall,
WWD,
7 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near tortuous
Cite this Entry
“Tortuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tortuous. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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