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deform

verb
de·​form | \ di-ˈfȯrm How to pronounce deform (audio) , dÄ“-\
deformed; deforming; deforms

Definition of deform

transitive verb

1 : to spoil the form of
2a : to spoil the looks of : disfigure a face deformed by bitterness
b : to mar the character of a marriage deformed by jealousy
3 : to alter the shape of by stress

intransitive verb

: to become misshapen or changed in shape
Other Words from deform Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about deform

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Other Words from deform

deformable \ di-​ˈfȯr-​mÉ™-​bÉ™l How to pronounce deformable (audio) , dÄ“-​ \ adjective

Choose the Right Synonym for deform

deform, distort, contort, warp means 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 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 warp indicates an uneven shrinking that bends or twists out of a flat plane. warped floorboards

Examples of deform in a Sentence

The disease eventually deforms the bones. The disease eventually causes the bones to deform.

Recent Examples on the Web

 His feet were slightly deformed from wearing the wrong size. — Karen Pilarski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "German solider captured after the Battle of the Bulge remembered for living the American dream," 15 Aug. 2019 The mite also spreads viruses, including a lethal one that deforms wings, preventing bees from flying. — Erik Stokstad, Science | AAAS, "Breeders toughen up bees to resist deadly mites," 25 July 2019 In Heiligendamm on the Baltic Sea in eastern Germany, train services were canceled temporarily during last month's heat wave after the tracks were deformed by the heat. — Angela Charlton And Kirsten Grieshaber, Houston Chronicle, "Paris hits new heat record, London boils in Europe heat wave," 25 July 2019 The company says a plastic engine intake manifold could be faulty, causing it to melt and deform, which could result in a fire. — Chris Morris, Fortune, "Volvo Recalls Half a Million Cars Over Fire Risk," 22 July 2019 The motions are powered by what's called a shape-memory alloy, which can be deformed at one temperature but snap back into place once the temperature is changed. — John Timmer, Ars Technica, "Tiny robot leaps around carrying its own battery, electronics," 10 July 2019 Had the explosion torn the fitting apart, investigators theorized, the threads would have been stripped or deformed. — Steve Thompson, Washington Post, "How federal investigators pieced together the deadly Flower Branch explosion," 28 June 2019 The truth is, most of the crust from Earth’s early days has been subducted, eroded or deformed beyond recognition. — Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, "Plate Tectonics: The Slow Dance of Our Planet's Crust," 12 June 2019 And when forced into an offset position, the superflexible sheets tend to deform. — David H. Freedman, WIRED, "Physicists Are Bewitched by Twisted Graphene's 'Magic Angle'," 5 May 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'deform.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of deform

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

History and Etymology for deform

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French desfurmer, from Latin deformare, from de- + formare to form, from forma form

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More Definitions for deform

deform

verb
How to pronounce deform (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of deform

: to change something so that it no longer has its normal or original shape

See the full definition for deform in the English Language Learners Dictionary

deform

verb
de·​form | \ di-ˈfȯrm How to pronounce deform (audio) \
deformed; deforming

Kids Definition of deform

: to spoil the form or the natural appearance of

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More from Merriam-Webster on deform

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with deform

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for deform

Spanish Central: Translation of deform

Nglish: Translation of deform for Spanish Speakers

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