noun

distortion

dih-STOR-shun/dɪˈstɔːrʃn/

An alteration that departs from an original form.

The curved mirror causes distortion, stretching and twisting the vase's reflected shape.

A straight-sided blue ceramic vase beside a curved mirror that reflects the same vase as visibly stretched and twisted, showing distortion of an otherwise regular shape.

Etymology

disLatincompletely

+tortLatinto twist

+ionLatinaction or state

The pieces name the action or state of thorough twisting. Being twisted out of shape also became an image for words or meanings altered so that they no longer convey the truth.

In context

Therapy in a Nutshell10:40

It's a distortion of guilt.

How to Heal from Shame, Guilt and Regret

More examples

His account is a distortion of what actually happened.
Turning the volume too high produces distortion in the speakers.
The camera software corrects distortion near the edges of photos.

Forms

distortion · distortions

distort verb — To alter the shape, accuracy, or quality.

Similar words

deformation: Deformation specifically concerns changes to an object's physical shape.
misrepresentation: Misrepresentation concerns misleading accounts rather than changes in physical form.