distorted

/dɪˈstɔːtɪd/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈstɔːrtɪd/ (ame, ipa) · /di-ˈstȯr-təd/ (ame, mw)

distorted — adjective

  • distortedpositive
  • more distortedcomparative
  • most distortedsuperlative

1. bent, stretched, or pressed so it no longer keeps its usual shape and looks wron

1.形容詞B2
釋義

bent, stretched, or pressed so it no longer keeps its usual shape and looks wrong.

例句

The heat left the plastic lid distorted and useless by morning.

be left distorted by heat

Mina frowned at her distorted reflection in the bus window.

distorted reflection

同義詞
  • warped

    often suggests damage from heat or dampness

  • misshapen

    focuses on an ugly or abnormal form

  • deformed

    usually stronger and more permanent than distorted

反義詞
  • normal

    having the expected shape

  • straight

    not bent or twisted out of line

文法句型

distorted + noun

be + distorted

用法筆記

Most often used for objects, surfaces, and images whose shape has been physically changed. Distinguish from sense 3, which is only about sound.

常見錯誤

❌The facts were distorted after many retellings.
✅The story was distorted after many retellings.
💡this sense is about physical form; use sense 2 for information that becomes inaccurate.

2. changed from the real facts or meaning, so it gives people a mistaken idea.

2.形容詞C1
釋義

changed from the real facts or meaning, so it gives people a mistaken idea.

例句

The article offered a distorted account of what happened at the protest.

distorted account of events

Rania worried that one short quote created a distorted picture of her team.

distorted picture of someone

同義詞
  • misleading

    emphasizes the effect on the reader or listener

  • false

    broader and less focused on how the inaccuracy was created

  • skewed

    often used when the truth is pushed in one unfair direction

反義詞

文法句型

distorted + account

distorted + view of + noun

用法筆記

Used for reports, memories, pictures, and other representations that stop matching reality. Distinguish from sense 4, which is about pushing a system or pattern out of balance rather than making a description untrue.

常見錯誤

❌The metal door was distorted by the fire.
✅The metal door was warped by the fire.
💡this sense is about false information or meaning, not physical damage.

3. describing recorded or amplified sound that equipment has changed, making it rou

3.形容詞C1
釋義

describing recorded or amplified sound that equipment has changed, making it rough or unpleasant to hear.

例句

During the call, Samir's voice sounded distorted through the old speaker.

sound + distorted through equipment

The guitar track became distorted when Hana pushed the volume too high.

became distorted at high volume

同義詞
  • garbled

    often suggests words are unclear or mixed up

  • crackly

    focuses on a rough noise rather than broader signal damage

  • fuzzy

    more informal and less technical than distorted

反義詞
  • clear

    easy to hear without noise or damage

  • clean

    used especially of good-quality audio

文法句型

sound + distorted

distorted + audio noun

用法筆記

Only used for sound, voices, music, or signals. The problem usually comes from poor equipment, a bad connection, or volume that is too high.

常見錯誤

❌The picture looked distorted because the speaker was broken.
✅The sound was distorted because the speaker was broken.
💡this sense is limited to audio, not visual shape.

4. changed away from its normal balance or pattern in a harmful way, so it works ba

4.形容詞C1
釋義

changed away from its normal balance or pattern in a harmful way, so it works badly.

例句

Years of subsidies created a distorted market for cheap housing.

distorted market

The bonus scheme produced distorted priorities across the sales team.

distorted priorities

同義詞
  • skewed

    often used when the balance leans unfairly in one direction

  • unbalanced

    plain word for lacking a healthy or fair balance

  • warped

    can suggest a harmful change in values or judgment

反義詞
  • balanced

    kept in a normal or fair relationship

  • healthy

    working in a normal and effective way

文法句型

distorted + market

distorted + priorities

用法筆記

Often used for markets, systems, behaviour, or priorities that have been pushed away from a healthy balance. Distinguish from sense 2, which focuses on facts or descriptions becoming untrue.

常見錯誤

❌The witness gave a distorted market in court.
✅The witness gave a distorted account in court.
💡use this sense for systems or patterns, not for statements of fact.