What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
deformed
Example
The baby was born with a deformed hand. [deformed: adjective]
Example
The car's frame was deformed after the accident. [deformed: past participle]
distorted
Example
The mirror distorted her reflection, making her look wider than she actually was. [distorted: verb]
Example
The news report was distorted to fit a particular political agenda. [distorted: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Distorted is more commonly used than deformed in everyday language. Distorted is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while deformed is less common and typically used in medical or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between deformed and distorted?
Deformed is more formal than distorted. It is often used in medical or technical contexts, while distorted can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
