DictionarywryTwisted or crooked
adjective

wry

Twisted or crooked in shape or facial expression.

His mouth twists into a wry grimace as he tastes the medicine.

Etymology

The older verb concerns turning or bending. Wry preserves the resulting twisted or crooked shape, including an asymmetrical facial expression.

More examples

  • He pulls a wry face as the bandage comes off.
  • The portrait shows a wry mouth, with one corner lifted.
  • Pain draws his lips into a wry line.

Forms

wry · wrier · wriest · wryer · wryest

Similar words

crooked
Crooked broadly describes shapes that bend or lack straight alignment.
contorted
Contorted suggests stronger distortion, especially from pain or effort.