desvirtuar

To distort or misrepresent the true nature, meaning, or intent of something — desvirtuar el sentido de una ley, desvirtuar los hechos. It's common in journalism, politics, and everyday arguments whenever someone claims their words or a situation have been twisted out of context.

• Los medios desvirtuaron sus declaraciones originales. — The media distorted his original statements.
• Esa reforma desvirtúa el propósito original de la ley. — That reform distorts the law's original purpose.
• No dejes que desvirtúen lo que realmente dijiste. — Don't let them twist what you actually said.

Confusing desvirtuar with negar (to deny) — desvirtuar means distorting or misrepresenting something's true meaning, not outright denying that it happened.