distort
Meaning: To twist, bend, or pull something out of its normal shape. Figuratively, to give a misleading or false account of facts, information, or someone's words.
Distort operates in both physical and informational domains. Physically, it refers to warping or deforming — 'heat distorts the metal.' Figuratively and more commonly, it means to misrepresent facts, twist meaning, or create a false impression. 'Distortion' as a noun is central to debates about media bias, propaganda, and economic policy. Common collocations include 'distort the truth,' 'distort the facts,' and 'market distortion.'
Examples
- The opposition accused the government of deliberately distorting the unemployment figures. 反对党指控政府故意歪曲失业数据。La oposición acusó al gobierno de distorsionar deliberadamente las cifras de desempleo.野党は政府が意図的に失業率の数字を歪曲していると非難した。야당은 정부가 의도적으로 실업률 수치를 왜곡하고 있다고 비난했다.
- The fairground mirrors distorted their reflections into grotesque, elongated shapes. 游乐场的哈哈镜把他们的倒影扭曲成了怪诞的拉长形状。Los espejos de la feria deformaban sus reflejos en formas grotescas y alargadas.遊園地の鏡は彼らの姿をグロテスクに引き伸ばされた形に歪めた。놀이공원의 거울은 그들의 모습을 기괴하게 늘어난 형태로 일그러뜨렸다.
- Subsidies of this kind distort the market and put smaller producers at a significant disadvantage. 这类补贴会扭曲市场,使小型生产商处于明显不利地位。Subvenciones de este tipo distorsionan el mercado y colocan a los pequeños productores en clara desventaja.この種の補助金は市場を歪め、小規模生産者を著しく不利な立場に置く。이런 종류의 보조금은 시장을 왜곡하고 소규모 생산자들을 현저히 불리한 위치에 놓이게 한다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: journalism, political, academic
Tone: critical
Origin & History
From Latin distortus, past participle of distorquere (to twist apart), from dis- (apart) + torquere (to twist). Entered English in the 15th century, initially in the physical sense.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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