warp 1 of 2

warp

2 of 2

verb

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as in to deform
to twist (something) out of a natural or normal shape or condition freezing warped the plastic, and now the cover won't fit

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb warp contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of warp are contort, deform, and distort. While all these words mean "to mar or spoil by or as if by twisting," warp indicates an uneven shrinking that bends or twists out of a flat plane.

warped floorboards

When could deform be used to replace warp?

The synonyms deform and warp are sometimes interchangeable, but deform may imply a change of shape through stress, injury, or accident of growth.

a face deformed by hatred

How do distort and contort relate to one another, in the sense of warp?

Distort and contort both imply a wrenching from the natural or normal, but contort suggests a more involved twisting and a more grotesque and painful result.

the odd camera angle distorts the figure
disease had contorted her body

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of warp
Noun
The fabrics, made with a cotton indigo warp and polyester weft, wash down like conventional denim. Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 28 May 2025 Its architecture mirrors the sturdy structure of warp and weft, the two basic elements to weaving, symbolizing the enduring strength of community, unity and creativity. Kissa Castaneda, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Verb
That's because the temperature can discolor or warp oven racks that aren't designed to withstand such high heat. Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 29 June 2025 Pick up, put down, misplace, leave crusty with sand or warped with humidity. Christopher Borrelli, Boston Herald, 27 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for warp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for warp
Noun
  • After Chandler Simpson popped out — ending his Rays rookie-record hitting streak at 18 games — Ha-Seong Kim and Yandy Diaz walked, loading the bases and bringing up All-Star Junior Caminero.
    Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 July 2025
  • And buyouts mean that towns’ tax bases decrease, bringing in less money to apply to future floods.
    John Seabrook, New Yorker, 21 July 2025
Verb
  • Over time, that line has been distorted beyond recognition, used more to silence churches than to protect them.
    Lauren Cooley, Sun Sentinel, 21 July 2025
  • First, Jane Street intentionally distorted the less liquid cash market to profit on the more liquid options market.
    Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 18 July 2025
Verb
  • Metal can tarnish or degrade when exposed to humidity, and many materials degrade when exposed to cardboard that isn't acid-free.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 19 July 2025
  • In the last year, Israel has managed to significantly degrade the capabilities of its adversaries, particularly Lebanon’s Hezbollah, and its June conflict with Iran – with the help of the U.S. – was widely seen as having dealt a significant blow to Tehran’s abilities to harm the Jewish state.
    Natasha Turak, CNBC, 18 July 2025
Verb
  • After his first round of the treatment in 2021, he was left deformed.
    Charles Trepany, USA Today, 24 July 2025
  • Slight temperature changes can deform the mirror, causing the image to blur, but 232 actuators behind the mirrors help to nudge everything back into focus.
    IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 23 June 2025
Noun
  • Rogge wasn’t admitted and did a foundation year in Antwerp. 2005 - 2008 Enrolls in the bachelor’s program at the Royal Academy.
    Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 15 July 2025
  • At this year’s climate meeting in Bonn, global leaders laid the foundation for this shift.
    Felicia Jackson, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • Without that visibility, AI might ignore you or misrepresent you based on outdated or irrelevant content.
    Christine Wetzler, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
  • In the suit, filed on behalf of Reed and his wife in Davidson County Chancery Court on Jan. 17, Reed contends the school breached his contract, misrepresented his role in the response and inflicted emotional distress on him and his wife, among other things.
    Rachel Wegner, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Verb
  • The rallies are borne of a deep dissatisfaction with the state of the economy, the deteriorating quality of public services, the administration’s overzealous approach to taxation, and police brutality.
    Ken Opalo, semafor.com, 21 July 2025
  • The two deteriorating sites are both on the radar of municipal officials.
    Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 21 July 2025
Noun
  • And some Senate Republicans are raising alarm bells about cuts that make up the bedrock of the package.
    Allison Pecorin, ABC News, 14 July 2025
  • Terrain and Hydrology The region hardest hit — the Texas Hill Country — is particularly vulnerable to flash flooding due to its rugged terrain and shallow soil: Steep slopes and limestone bedrock cause water to run off quickly instead of soaking into the ground.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Warp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/warp. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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