Skew: meaning, definitions and examples

Use 'skew' when something is turned or twisted off course or is presented in a biased or unfair way.

• The results of the survey were skewed by the disproportionately high number of young respondents
• Her view on the issue is skewed by her personal experiences

Use 'distort' when referring to a change in shape, appearance, or sound. It can also mean misrepresenting or twisting information in a misleading way, often with a negative connotation.

• The funhouse mirror distorted her reflection
• The news article distorted the facts of the story

Use 'deform' when talking about physical change in shape, often in a way that is unintended or not normal. This word often carries a negative connotation.

• The heat caused the plastic toy to deform
• The accident deformed his leg, requiring extensive surgery

Use 'warp' when something, often a physical object, is twisted or bent out of its original shape due to heat, moisture, or other forces. It can also refer to deviation in behavior or thinking.

• The wooden fence started to warp over time due to the constant rain
• His traumatic experience seemed to have warped his sense of reality

When something is not straight or evenly balanced, especially when discussing data, graphs, or physical objects.

• The data points seem to skew towards higher values.
• The picture frame is skewed.

Used to describe a lack of equality or equivalence between parts, often in scientific, artistic, or medical contexts.

• The two sides of his face show visible asymmetry.
• There's a noticeable asymmetry in the sculpture's design.

When something is uneven or unevenly balanced, usually in a more informal or descriptive manner. It often carries a slightly negative connotation.

• The lopsidedness of the cake made it look homemade.
• Their team performance showed a clear lopsidedness.

Describes an inclination or slant of something typically in physical space. It’s often used in mechanical, geographical, or casual descriptions.

• You need to tilt the camera a bit to the left.
• The tower has a noticeable tilt.