tortuous
/ˈtɔːt͡ʃuːəs/
Group 6Difficulty 2/3
Definitions
- (adjective)
- Full of twists and turns; excessively lengthy and complex GRE
- (adjective)
- Not straightforward; devious GRE
Example in Context
The tortuous path to regulatory approval involved years of reviews, appeals, and public comment periods that exhausted all parties involved.
Synonyms
twistingwindingcomplex
Etymology
Twisted paths — excessively complex and winding.
- torquere (Latin) — to twist
Memory Aid
😵Sounds like “torture us”
Imagine a tortuous maze that TORTURES US with its never-ending twists and turns!
Visual Association
🌀A roller coaster that spirals endlessly, making riders dizzy as they twist and turn.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Confusable Pairs
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “tortuous” mean on the GRE?
tortuous (adjective) means “Full of twists and turns; excessively lengthy and complex”. The tortuous path to regulatory approval involved years of reviews, appeals, and public comment periods that exhausted all parties involved.
How to remember “tortuous” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “tortuous” sounds like “torture us”. Imagine a tortuous maze that TORTURES US with its never-ending twists and turns!
What are synonyms for “tortuous”?
Common synonyms: twisting, winding, complex.