contort
Bend out of shape
To contort is to twist or bend out of normal shape, often violently or painfully.
A face contorts in agony; a body contorts to fit through a narrow space.
The word suggests distortion beyond comfortable limits: She contorted herself into a pretzel shape.
Figuratively, logic or truth can be contorted—twisted to serve a purpose: He contorted the facts to support his argument.
Twist body in pain
- coilWound circular arrangement
- spiralCurve winding around center
- curlSpiral or loop form
- windAir current outdoors
knot · bend · warp · entwine · intertwine · snake · loop · tangle
Curve or flex
- twistRotating motion or surprise
- workEffort toward a goal
- moldForm-giving container
- shapeExternal outline of something
squeeze · knead · wrench · force · pressure · compress · wring · lever
Twisted expression of displeasure
- winceReflexive recoil from distress
- crampPainful muscle seizure
- spasmInvoluntary muscle contraction
- achePersistent dull discomfort
agony · strain · convulse · clench · seize · tense · throb · twinge
writhe
Twist body in pain
wind · knot · bend · warp · entwine · intertwine · snake · loop · tangle · convolute
bend
Curve or flex
shape · squeeze · knead · wrench · force · pressure · compress · wring · lever · pry
grimace
Twisted expression of displeasure
ache · agony · strain · convulse · clench · seize · tense · throb · twinge · wrack
grimace
Twisted expression of displeasure
frown · smirk · leer · mug · twist · face · features · mouth · brow · exaggerate
acrobat
Agile circus performer
- tumblingAcrobatic rolling and flipping
- somersaultFull-body forward rotation
- handstandInverted balance on palms
cartwheel · flip · backbend · split · balance · flexibility · routine · floor · vault · dismount
- body movementsflexion, bend, twist, standing, extension
- twisting motionstwist, twirl, coil, spiral, wind
- distortionsdistorts, deform, warp, twist, twists
- change verbschange, alter, transform, modify, convert
- facial expressionssmiling, smile, grin, grinning, frown
- surface worksmooth, roughen, polish, buff, sand