as in distortion
the twisting of something out of its natural or normal shape or condition
the catastrophic deformation of the steel girders under the enormous weight of the bridge
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Recent Examples of deformation
Rain that gets through cracks in the pavement softens the soil beneath, causing more deformation under traffic loading and leading to more cracking, according to Jonathan Stewart, professor of civil and environmental engineering at the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering.
—
Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026
Though cranial deformations were not unheard of in Mesoamerica, researchers stressed that this type is less common than other types in the region — and unusually combines both tabular erect and tabular superior styles.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 29 Dec. 2025
Scientists in 2024 confirmed that Earth’s inner core reversed its spin, and in February 2025 the same team revealed changes to the inner core’s shape, with deformations in its shallowest level.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 29 Dec. 2025
Time-series analysis of shear deformation rates, based on satellite data, also showed a sharp increase during that same winter.
—Ritsuko Kawai, Wired News, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deformation
Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026
Though cranial deformations were not unheard of in Mesoamerica, researchers stressed that this type is less common than other types in the region — and unusually combines both tabular erect and tabular superior styles.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 29 Dec. 2025
Scientists in 2024 confirmed that Earth’s inner core reversed its spin, and in February 2025 the same team revealed changes to the inner core’s shape, with deformations in its shallowest level.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 29 Dec. 2025
Time-series analysis of shear deformation rates, based on satellite data, also showed a sharp increase during that same winter.
—Ritsuko Kawai, Wired News, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deformation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deformation
Noun
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The result of their efforts so far is a presentation of reality subjected to all the distortion of a funhouse mirror.—
Rachel Marsden,
Hartford Courant,
5 Feb. 2026
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The affordability gain is small, diffuse, and uncertain, but the economic distortions are real and cumulative.—
Josh Appel,
Washington Post,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Ancient mosaics have been restored into laughable deformities of their previous selves.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Feb. 2026
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The body tries to repair the damage, but healing is often slow and incomplete, leaving the bone weakened and vulnerable to collapse or deformity — changes that can lead to lasting hip problems.—
Miriam Fauzia,
Dallas Morning News,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deformation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deformation. Accessed 13 Feb. 2026.
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