contortions
Extreme physical bendings
Contortions are twisting movements that distort the body or face into unnatural positions.
A circus contortionist performs extreme bends and stretches.
The word extends to strained efforts: the verbal contortions of a politician avoiding a direct answer, mental contortions to justify a bad decision.
The singular contortion works the same way but emphasizes a single instance.
Rotating with distortion
- bendingCurving from straight
- flexibilityAbility to adapt easily
- supplenessCapacity to bend easily
- limbernessBodily flexibility
tumbling · handstand · backflip · somersault · split · pretzel · rubber-band · double-jointed
Painful muscle seizure
- spasmInvoluntary muscle contraction
- strainExcessive stretching force
- achePersistent dull discomfort
- grimaceTwisted expression of displeasure
wince · discomfort · soreness · twinge · agony · writhing · thrashing · convulsion
Twisted expression of displeasure
- winceReflexive recoil from distress
- scowlAngry facial expression
- sneerScornful expression
- squintPartly close eyes
pucker · frown · mugging · expression · twist · scrunch · exaggeration · comedic
Secondary carnival attraction
- performerOne who entertains audiences
- actDeed or performance
- boxLidded storage container
- crateContainer for transport
Houdini · flexibility · spectacle · entertainer · carnival · stage · audience · costume
Rotating with distortion
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
- spinRapid rotation around axis
- evasionAct of escaping detection
- misrepresentationFalse or misleading statement
sophistry · rationalization · justification · wordplay · obfuscation · dodge · deflection · equivocation
twisting
Rotating with distortion
- bendingCurving from straight
- flexibilityAbility to adapt easily
- supplenessCapacity to bend easily
limberness · tumbling · handstand · backflip · somersault · split · pretzel · rubber-band · double-jointed · dislocate
cramp
Painful muscle seizure
grimace · wince · discomfort · soreness · twinge · agony · writhing · thrashing · convulsion · seizure
grimace
Twisted expression of displeasure
squint · pucker · frown · mugging · expression · twist · scrunch · exaggeration · comedic · mimicry
sideshow
Secondary carnival attraction
crate · Houdini · flexibility · spectacle · entertainer · carnival · stage · audience · costume · trick
twisting
Rotating with distortion
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
- spinRapid rotation around axis
- evasionAct of escaping detection
misrepresentation · sophistry · rationalization · justification · wordplay · obfuscation · dodge · deflection · equivocation · prevarication
contortionsgrace
Effortless beauty of motion
fluidity · smoothness · ease · poise · smiles
contortionsstraightforwardness
Quality of being direct
directness · simplicity · clarity · straight talk · candor