What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
wry
Example
He gave me a wry smile when I told him the news. [wry: adjective]
Example
The tree had a wry trunk that bent in an unusual way. [wry: adjective]
Example
She made a wry comment about the situation, implying that it was ridiculous. [wry: adjective]
contort
Example
The acrobat contorted her body into a pretzel-like shape. [contorted: verb]
Example
He contorted his face in agony as he tried to lift the heavy weight. [contorted: adjective]
Example
The dancer's performance included many contorted movements that were both beautiful and unsettling. [contorted: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Wry is more common than contort in everyday language and can be used in a variety of contexts, including humor, irony, and facial expressions. Contort is less common and is typically used to describe more extreme or severe distortions.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between wry and contort?
Both wry and contort are relatively formal words that are not commonly used in casual conversation. However, wry can be used in a wider range of formality levels due to its versatility in describing various contexts, while contort is more specific and may be more appropriate in formal writing or technical contexts.
