What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
tortuous
Example
The tortuous road up the mountain was not for the faint of heart. [tortuous: adjective]
Example
The legal process can be quite tortuous and time-consuming. [tortuous: adjective]
meandering
Example
The river meandered through the valley, creating a picturesque landscape. [meandered: verb]
Example
The speaker's meandering speech left the audience confused and bored. [meandering: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Meandering is more commonly used than tortuous in everyday language. Meandering is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while tortuous is less common and typically used in more specific or technical situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between tortuous and meandering?
Tortuous is generally considered more formal than meandering. It is often used in legal, academic, or technical writing, while meandering is more casual and can be used in a variety of informal settings.
