verb

distort

di-SPORT/dɪˈstɔːrt/

To alter something out of its true shape.

The curved funhouse mirror distorts her reflection, making her torso look longer.

A young woman stands beside a curved funhouse mirror that visibly distorts her reflection, stretching her torso and compressing her legs while her actual proportions remain natural.

Etymology

The pieces convey thorough twisting. English first used the word for twisting the truth or meaning; the recorded physical sense of twisting something out of shape came later.

In context

Allellu340:30

their reason is often too weak, their information too scanty, or its light is obstructed by passion and prejudices which distort and discolour everything

Proofs of a Conspiracy [Part 1 of 2] by John Robison | Full Audiobook, Read-Along

More examples

Too much heat can distort the plastic lid.
Leaving out those details distorts the truth.
The damaged speaker distorted every singer's voice.

Forms

distort · distorts · distorted · distorting

distortion noun — A change that misrepresents or misshapes something.

Similar words

warp: Usually bends or twists something, often through heat or pressure.
deform: Changes physical shape, often damaging normal structure or appearance.
misrepresent: Gives a false impression without necessarily changing physical shape.