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
An Invisible Risk The standard literature defines cognitive bias as a systematic distortion that affects decision making processes and cognitive understanding, often resulting from limited data sets and unconscious biases and decision protocols favoring certain viewpoints.
—
Cristian Randieri, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Over the weekend, China’s consumer inflation dropped below zero for the first time in 13 months due to seasonal distortions and deflationary pressures.
—Amala Balakrishner, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2025
They are modified with effects like chorus and distortion, which are all modeled, too.
—Nate Anderson, Ars Technica, 10 Mar. 2025
They are primarily intended to compensate for a major market distortion — for example, China’s subsidies for solar panels.
—David E. Sanger, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distortion
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Cristian Randieri, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Over the weekend, China’s consumer inflation dropped below zero for the first time in 13 months due to seasonal distortions and deflationary pressures.
—Amala Balakrishner, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2025
They are modified with effects like chorus and distortion, which are all modeled, too.
—Nate Anderson, Ars Technica, 10 Mar. 2025
They are primarily intended to compensate for a major market distortion — for example, China’s subsidies for solar panels.
—David E. Sanger, New York Times, 7 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 20 Mar. 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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