What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
tortive
Example
The tortive branches of the tree made it difficult to climb. [tortive: adjective]
Example
The lawyer presented a tortive argument that twisted the facts to suit their client's case. [tortive: adjective]
tortuous
Example
The tortuous road through the mountains was treacherous to drive on. [tortuous: adjective]
Example
The company's hiring process was tortuous and involved multiple rounds of interviews. [tortuous: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Tortuous is more commonly used than tortive in everyday language. Tortuous is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while tortive is less common and typically used in legal or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between tortive and tortuous?
Both tortive and tortuous are formal words that are not commonly used in everyday conversation. However, tortive is more technical and legalistic in nature, while tortuous can be used in a wider range of formal contexts.
