disfigure

verb

dis·​fig·​ure dis-ˈfi-gyər How to pronounce disfigure (audio)
 especially British  -ˈfi-gə
disfigured; disfiguring; disfigures
Synonyms of disfigurenext

transitive verb

1
: to impair (as in beauty) by deep and persistent injuries
a face disfigured by smallpox
2
obsolete : disguise
disfigurement
dis-ˈfi-gyər-mənt How to pronounce disfigure (audio)
 especially British  -ˈfi-gə-
noun

Synonyms

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of disfigure in a Sentence

His face was disfigured by a scar. the statue was seriously disfigured by falling rubble during the earthquake
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Here's everything to know about the parasite The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum suspects is disfiguring her face. — Jordana Comiter, People.com, 13 Mar. 2025 The woman had lacerations to her scalp and lip that required 17 sutures, five staples, leaving her permanently disfigured, officials said. — Paloma Chavez, Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 2025 Now with all these things vanished, along with the bookstores and repertory cinemas, the city seems impoverished and disfigured. — Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025 Dirt lots still disfigure Fairview Avenue and Main Street. — Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 4 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for disfigure

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French desfigurer, from des- dis- + figure figure

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of disfigure was in the 14th century

Rhymes for disfigure

See All Rhymes for disfigure

Browse Nearby Words

disfiguration
disfigure
disfigurer
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Disfigure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disfigure. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

disfigure

verb
dis·​fig·​ure dis-ˈfig-yər How to pronounce disfigure (audio)
 especially British  -ˈfig-ər
: to spoil the appearance of
disfigured by a scar
disfigurement
-mənt How to pronounce disfigure (audio)
noun

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Nglish: Translation of disfigure for Spanish Speakers

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