transfigure

verb

trans·​fig·​ure tran(t)s-ˈfi-gyər 

 especially British  -ˈfi-gə

transfigured; transfiguring

transitive verb

: to give a new and typically exalted or spiritual appearance to : transform outwardly and usually for the better

Synonyms

• alchemize
• convert
• make over
• metamorphose
• transform
• transmute
• transpose
• transubstantiate

Choose the Right Synonym for transfigure

transform, metamorphose, transmute, convert, transmogrify, transfigure mean to change a thing into a different thing.

transform implies a major change in form, nature, or function.

transformed a small company into a corporate giant

metamorphose suggests an abrupt or startling change induced by or as if by magic or a supernatural power.

awkward girls metamorphosed into graceful ballerinas

transmute implies transforming into a higher element or thing.

attempted to transmute lead into gold

convert implies a change fitting something for a new or different use or function.

converted the study into a nursery

transmogrify suggests a strange or preposterous metamorphosis.

a story in which a frog is transmogrified into a prince

transfigure implies a change that exalts or glorifies.

joy transfigured her face

Examples of transfigure in a Sentence

Her face seemed transfigured by happiness.

married life has seemingly transfigured his formerly aimless existence

Recent Examples on the Web

Traditional left-right divides have been transfigured. —Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024

Art transfigures life but, for every great work of art, there are casualties. —Aatish Taseer, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2024

Class, cash, and condos have pilfered and transfigured the filthen place that spawned No Wave. —Jonathan Rowe, SPIN, 23 Jan. 2024

Hendricks gets them to flow together into a single, transfiguring lake. —Vulture, 21 Dec. 2023

There’s a special thrill when a production manages to transfigure an old space like the Connelly, with its aura of gas lamps and ghost lights. —Sara Holdren, Vulture, 19 Oct. 2023

That an array of drugs have this potential also means that something deeper must unite these psychedelics in their ability to transfigure the mind. —WIRED, 15 June 2023

Byrne, for instance, both captured and transfigured the essential loneliness of Roy Orbison’s music. —Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2023

Interspersed poems touchingly personalize loss, but also transfigure it. —Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 16 Sep. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French transfigurer, from Latin transfigurare, from trans- + figurare to shape, fashion, from figura figure

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

transfigure

verb

trans·​fig·​ure tran(t)s-ˈfig-yər 

 especially British  -ˈfig-ər

transfigured; transfiguring

: to change the form or appearance of and usually make more glorious or ideally beautiful