snarl vs distort

snarl is a noun but distort is not a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
snarl	Yes	No	Yes	No
distort	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, distort is a hypernym of snarl; that is, distort is a word with a broader meaning than snarl:

Other hypernyms of snarl include twine, twist.

snarl (noun)	distort (noun)
something jumbled or confused
a vicious angry growl
an angry vicious expression

snarl (verb)	distort (verb)
make more complicated or confused through entanglements	alter the shape of (something) by stress
utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone	make false by mutilation or addition; as of a message or story
make a snarling noise or move with a snarling noise	affect as in thought or feeling
twist together or entwine into a confusing mass	twist and press out of shape
	form into a spiral shape