Distortion is the changing of something into something that is not true or not acceptable.
[disapproval]
It would be a distortion of reality to say that they were motivated by self-interest. [+ of]
He later accused reporters of wilful distortion and bias.
Synonyms: misrepresentation, bias, slant, perversion More Synonyms of distortion
2. variable noun
Distortion is the changing of the appearance or sound of something in a way that makes it seem strange or unclear.
Audio signals can be transmitted along cables without distortion.
More Synonyms of distortion
distortion in British English
(dɪˈstɔːʃən)
noun
1.
the act or an instance of distorting or the state of being distorted
2.
something that is distorted
3.
an aberration of a lens or optical system in which the magnification varies with the lateral distance from the axis
4. electronics
a.
an undesired change in the shape of an electromagnetic wave or signal
b.
the result of such a change in waveform, esp a loss of clarity in radio reception or sound reproduction
5. psychology
a change in perception so that it does not correspond to reality
6. psychoanalysis
the disguising of the meaning of unconscious thoughts so that they may appear in consciousness, e.g. in dreams
Derived forms
distortional (disˈtortional)
adjective
distortion in American English
(dɪˈstɔrʃən)
noun
1.
a distorting or being distorted
2.
anything distorted
Derived forms
distortional (disˈtortional)
adjective
Word origin
L distortio
Examples of 'distortion' in a sentence
distortion
Maps that look like models of objectivity turn out to be gross distortions of reality.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
There is clearly a gross distortion of one individual.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Theories explaining differences lack a solid empirical foundation, seriously risking the distortion of reality.
de Haan, Willem The Politics of Redress - crime, punishment and penal abolition (1989)
Does Eagleton not see the gross distortions involved in such throwaway lines?
The Times Literary Supplement (2011)
These cognitive distortions may be very difficult to pinpoint, because we are not always aware of our thoughts.
Wallace, Louise M & Bundy, Christine Coping with Angina (1990)
There can be sight and sound distortions, the intensification of colours and changes in sense of time and place.
Cohen, Julian & Kay, James Taking Drugs Seriously (1994)
Yet look in detail at what the charity has said, and it is clear that this is gross distortion.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
All these and many other meanings come up in the form of eating incidents and moments of body image distortion that may at first all sound alike.
Bloom, Carol & Gitter, Andrea (contributor) & Gutwill, Susan (contributor) & Kogel,Laura (contributor) & Zaphiropoulos, Lela (contributor) Eating Problems: A Feminist Psychoanalytic Treatment Model (1994)
They were gross distortions of what she had said to the GP.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Let me, at this point, clear up one gross distortion that many pastors have.
Christianity Today (2000)
In other languages
distortion
British English: distortion NOUN
Distortion is the changing of something into something that is not true or not acceptable.
I think it would be a gross distortion of reality to say that they were motivated by self-interest.
American English: distortion
Brazilian Portuguese: distorção
Chinese: 歪曲
European Spanish: distorsión
French: déformation
German: Verzerrung
Italian: distorsione
Japanese: 歪曲
Korean: 왜곡
European Portuguese: distorção
Latin American Spanish: distorsión
1 (noun)
He accused reporters of wilful distortion.
Synonyms
misrepresentation
bias
The fabric, cut on the bias, hangs as light as a cobweb.
slant
They give a slant to every single news item that's put on the air.
perversion
a monstrous perversion of justice
falsification
recent concern about the falsification of evidence in court
colouring
2 (noun)
I recognised her by the distortion of her face.
Synonyms
deformity
Bones grind against each other, leading to pain and deformity.
bend
The crash occurred on a sharp bend.
twist
the twists and turns of the existing track
warp
small warps in the planking
buckle
contortion
The symptoms of the poison included facial contortions.
malformation
babies with a high incidence of congenital malformation
crookedness
twistedness
Additional synonyms
in the sense of bend
Definition
a curved part
The crash occurred on a sharp bend.
Synonyms
curve,
turn,
corner,
hook,
twist,
angle,
bow,
loop,
arc,
zigzag,
camber
in the sense of bias
Definition
a diagonal cut across the weave of a fabric
The fabric, cut on the bias, hangs as light as a cobweb.