adjective / noun

grotesque

groh-TESK/ɡrəʊˈtesk/

Strangely distorted or absurd in appearance or character.

The gargoyle's twisted face and asymmetrical limbs give it a grotesque appearance.

Fantastical grotesque carved stone gargoyle with exaggerated twisted face and asymmetrical limbs, architectural ornament.

Etymology

The cave reference plausibly comes from fanciful paintings found in excavated Roman ruins. A term for fantastic decoration later became a negative description of what looks distorted or absurd.

In context

Back to Ancient99:20

harpies are typically depicted as grotesque, aggressive, even chaotic. Here, the figures are controlled, almost calm. Their faces are not distorted.

5 HOURS OF Unexplained Ancient Archaeological Mysteries To Fall Asleep

More examples

Stone grotesques with twisted faces stare down from the roof.
The film turns an ordinary family dinner into a grotesque spectacle.
His cruel imitation is a grotesque version of her cheerful laugh.

Forms

grotesque · grotesques

grotesquely adverb — In a strangely distorted or absurd way.

grotesqueness noun — The quality of being strangely distorted or absurd.

Similar words

bizarre: Emphasizes extreme strangeness without necessarily suggesting distortion or ugliness.
distorted: Emphasizes altered shape or character rather than absurdity.
absurd: Emphasizes ridiculousness or lack of sense rather than appearance.