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
According to the tech brand, the bendy prototype can be safely stretched 10,000 times, even when exposed to extreme temperatures, without any distortion to its display.
—
Martin Lerma, Robb Report, 19 Nov. 2024
These distortions mean new housing costs more and takes longer to build, that means less supply, and in a market like Seattle, higher and higher prices.
—Roger Valdez, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024
Such measures can reduce price distortions, which can impact inflation, particularly in trade-heavy economies.
—Karen Gilchrist, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2024
Data distortions are never ideal, but having an expectedly messy jobs report land just days before a consequential election and a pivotal Federal Reserve meeting is particularly prickly.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for distortion 
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Martin Lerma, Robb Report, 19 Nov. 2024
These distortions mean new housing costs more and takes longer to build, that means less supply, and in a market like Seattle, higher and higher prices.
—Roger Valdez, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024
Such measures can reduce price distortions, which can impact inflation, particularly in trade-heavy economies.
—Karen Gilchrist, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2024
Data distortions are never ideal, but having an expectedly messy jobs report land just days before a consequential election and a pivotal Federal Reserve meeting is particularly prickly.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for distortion
Dictionary Entries Near distortion
Cite this Entry
“Distortion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/distortion. Accessed 26 Nov. 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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