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Definition of tortuous

tortuous

/ˈtɔːrtʃuəs/
tor · tu · ous
Adverb:tortuously
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tortuous Lexical Profile

tortuous Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Excessively lengthy, complex, or convoluted; not straightforward.

Example

"The bill finally passed after months of tortuous negotiations and parliamentary delays."

2

Full of twists, turns, or bends; winding or crooked.

Example

"The hikers carefully navigated the tortuous mountain trail that wound steeply up to the ridge."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for tortuous
Antonyms
View all antonyms for tortuous

Word Nuance & Usage

Do not confuse 'tortuous' (full of twists and turns, or excessively complex) with 'torturous' (involving or causing severe pain and torture) or 'tortious' (a legal term relating to a wrongful act or tort).

• Nearby Words

tortoise
tortoiseshell
tortum
tortuous
tortuously
torture
tortured

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in Middle English via Anglo-French from Latin 'tortuosus' (full of crooks or turns), derived from 'tortus' (a twisting or winding), the past participle of 'torquere' (to twist).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Tortuous. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/tortuous
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