What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
contorted
Example
The contorted expression on his face showed the agony he was in. [contorted: adjective]
Example
She lay on the floor, her body contorted in pain. [contorted: past participle]
twisted
Example
He twisted his ankle while playing basketball. [twisted: verb]
Example
Her twisted sense of humor made some people uncomfortable. [twisted: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Twisted is more commonly used than contorted in everyday language. Twisted is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while contorted is less common and refers to a more extreme or severe distortion.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between contorted and twisted?
Both contorted and twisted are relatively formal words, but contorted may be slightly more formal due to its association with medical or technical contexts.
