deform

verb

di-ˈfȯrm How to pronounce deform (audio)
Definition of deformnext
as in to distort
to twist (something) out of a natural or normal shape or condition a cynic whose face seems to be permanently deformed by a sneer

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb deform contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of deform are contort, distort, and warp. While all these words mean "to mar or spoil by or as if by twisting," deform may imply a change of shape through stress, injury, or accident of growth.

a face deformed by hatred

How are the words distort and contort related as synonyms of deform?

Distort and contort both imply a wrenching from the natural or normal, but contort suggests a more involved twisting and a more grotesque and painful result.

the odd camera angle distorts the figure
disease had contorted her body

When can warp be used instead of deform?

In some situations, the words warp and deform are roughly equivalent. However, warp indicates an uneven shrinking that bends or twists out of a flat plane.

warped floorboards

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of deform The lowest 688 feet of the ice core above the bedrock is made of older ice that is heavily deformed. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 9 Jan. 2025 The team decided to use a shape-memory alloy called nitinol, made of nickel and titanium, which can be deformed at low temperatures, but then returns to its initial shape when heated. —IEEE Spectrum, 14 Dec. 2024 Email newsletter | Facebook page Our rating: False There is no evidence the brain shown in the post was deformed by alcohol use. —Kate S. Petersen, USA TODAY, 26 Nov. 2024 The claim: Image shows brain deformed by alcohol consumption A Nov. 20 Instagram post (direct link, archive link) shows images of two brains. —Kate S. Petersen, USA TODAY, 26 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for deform

Browse Nearby Words

deform
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Deform.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deform. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on deform

Nglish: Translation of deform for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Words You Always Have to Look Up
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

13 Unusually Long English Words

9 Superb Owl Words

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things
See More

Popular Features

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

13 Unusually Long English Words

9 Superb Owl Words
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
number-twelve-balloon
12-Letter Words Quiz A dozen words, a dozen letters each.
See All