contortionist

/kən'tɔ:ʃnist/
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contortionist

The contortionist bends her body into a perfect circle on the stage.

Definition

Noun: * A performer, typically in a circus or variety show, who demonstrates extraordinary flexibility by twisting and bending their body into unusual, often seemingly unnatural, positions.

Usage
  • The word "contortionist" is used to describe a professional entertainer whose act is based on physical contortion. It is a specific type of acrobat.
  • It can also be used metaphorically to describe someone who twists facts or logic in a clever but deceptive way.
Examples
  • The contortionist amazed the audience by fitting her entire body into a tiny cube.
  • He trained for years to become a professional contortionist in the circus.
  • (Metaphorical) The politician was a verbal contortionist, twisting every question to avoid a direct answer.
Advanced Usage
  • "A feat of contortionist skill": A phrase used to describe an act or movement requiring extreme flexibility.
    • Getting out of that parking spot was a feat of contortionist skill.
  • "Contortionist logic": A phrase describing reasoning that is complex, twisted, and often illogical.
    • His explanation for being late involved contortionist logic that no one could follow.
Variants and Related Words
  • Contort (verb): To twist or bend out of its normal shape.
    • His face was contorted in pain.
  • Contortion (noun): The act of twisting or the state of being twisted, especially of the body or face.
    • The yoga pose requires a deep spinal contortion.
Synonyms
  • Acrobat
  • Flex performer
  • Elastic woman/man (informal, often used in stage names)
Antonyms
  • Rigid person
  • Stiff individual
Related Idioms and Phrases
  • "To tie oneself in knots": To become very confused or to complicate something unnecessarily. This idiom relates to the twisted physical state of a contortionist.
    • He tied himself in knots trying to explain the simple rule.
  • "A twist of logic": A clever but potentially misleading alteration of reasoning. This connects to the metaphorical use of "contortionist."
    • Her argument relied on a clever twist of logic.
contortionist

The contortionist bends her body into a perfect circle on the stage.

Noun
  1. an acrobat able to twist into unusual positions