: altered from a true, natural, or normal state, shape, or condition
a distorted image
a distorted view/understanding of the situation
a distorted account of what happened
The public is, I believe, dimly aware of this aspect of ethnography, perhaps in romantically distorted ways, but aware nonetheless. Roy A. Rappaport
What happens is that you realize people in other countries tend to reach distorted conclusions about the U.S., and you feel obligated to provide what you believe is a full and balanced appraisal. Norman Cousins