deformity

noun

de·for·mi·ty | \di-ˈfȯr-mə-tē,

dē-\

plural deformities

Definition of deformity

1 : the state of being deformed

2 : imperfection, blemish: such as

a : a physical blemish or distortion : disfigurement

b : a moral or aesthetic flaw or defect

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about deformity

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Examples of deformity in a Sentence

a disease causing deformity of the spine a primitive culture that cast aside infants born with deformities, allowing them to die of exposure to the elements

Recent Examples on the Web

Photo: Adrienne Grunwald for The Wall Street Journal In 2014, Mr. Levine developed Haglund’s deformity, a painful, bony enlargement on the heel that a specialist told him resulted from years of running on hard surfaces. — Jen Murphy, WSJ, "A Run to Get a Buddy Back on Track," 28 Apr. 2018 The foot-long reptile, which is 10 months old, has two heads as a result of a genetic deformity affecting just one in 10,000 births. — Fox News, "Rare two-headed snake discovered in backyard," 4 June 2018 Surgery is also sometimes (though rarely) warranted to remove a bone deformity or to loosen inflexible muscles. — Markham Heid, Time, "You Asked: What’s the Best Way to Treat Plantar Fasciitis?," 27 June 2018 Without that function, the accumulation of carbohydrates in the cells leads to severe skeletal deformities, short stature and joint problems that can limit mobility and life span. — Sophie Haigney, San Francisco Chronicle, "She wasn’t expected to live past 7. Saturday she graduates from college with honors," 8 June 2018 The extraordinary specimen could have been a previously unrecognized primate species, some sort of human deformity or something else entirely. — Ashley Strickland, CNN, "Researchers finally solve mystery of 'alien' skeleton," 22 Mar. 2018 For instance, a stretch of DNA that gives bats their distinctive pointy ears can, when mutated, cause an ear deformity in people called Stahl ear. — NBC News, "Why don't elephants get cancer? New gene study explains," 7 Mar. 2018 Some of Menz’s research on older adults shows that too-short or too-narrow shoes can lead to foot deformities and increased risk for weakness and falls, as well as growths like bunions, corns and calluses. — Markham Heid, Time, "These Are the Healthiest Shoes To Wear, According to Scientists," 30 May 2018 Richard is a much more sympathetic figure, because the core of his tyrannical soul is shaped from his very birth by physical deformity and social rejection. — Andrew Sullivan, Daily Intelligencer, "Obama’s Legacy Has Already Been Destroyed," 18 May 2018

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