1
: distorted from a true value or symmetrical form
problematic polling methods that resulted in skewed data
… a series of orange and yellow skewed shapes with mesh squares of different sizes …Natalie Savino
2
: deviating from what is normal, direct, or accurate
The treatment will later attempt to correct the anorexic's skewed [=distorted] perceptions about her body.Daniel Goleman
More broadly, some critics argue our über-emphasis on sports shows a skewed set of priorities.Kase Wickman et al.
This issue of control, and of the price paid for following the sometimes skewed road leading toward self-invention, is among the themes now being grappled with by Mary Harron …The New Yorker
Allowing even for my invariably skewed sense of direction, and the dark and sinuous roads that had delivered me to my door the night before, navigating the property is a challenge.Nancy Novogrod

Examples of skewed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web And that was in a relatively low-turnout primary that skewed Republican. Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2024 Without a word said about politics, Haghighi conjures, in a skewed but implacably authentic Tehran filled with violence and deceit, an endemic knowingness—a sure awareness of essential truths, regardless of how mighty the forces of illusion may be. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 25 Jan. 2024 Astronomers had seen these skewed orbits, which Raymond’s group and other researchers interpreted as scars of past interplanetary trauma. Charlie Wood, WIRED, 31 Dec. 2023 The comparatively low turnout on Tuesday likely skewed Republican. Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2024 Some locals argue their village would not survive otherwise, given the skewed gender ratio and China’s falling birthrate. Jessie Yeung, CNN, 8 Mar. 2024 Because of that skewed ratio, the total number of babies being born each year will continue to fall – even if women start having more kids – because the pool of women of childbearing age is already so small, and shrinking each year. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 29 Feb. 2024 Ensuring Data Accuracy Inaccurate or incomplete data from unrefined or misguided metrics can lead to skewed assessments of your engagement. Lou Hong, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024 Though Trump has been the front-runner, Nevada's caucuses were seen as especially skewed in his favor because of the intense grassroots support caucuses require candidates to harness around a state in order to win. Michelle L. Price, arkansasonline.com, 9 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'skewed.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of skewed was in 1611

Dictionary Entries Near skewed

Cite this Entry

“Skewed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skewed. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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