deformity

de·for·mi·ty | \ di-ˈfȯr-mə-tē

How to pronounce deformity (audio)

, 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 Paleontologists have discovered fossils of 300-million-year-old amphibians with limb deformities typically created by imperfect regeneration. — Amber Dance, Smithsonian Magazine, "Some Salamanders Can Regrow Lost Body Parts. Could Humans One Day Do the Same?," 31 Jan. 2020 He was born with facial deformities, but DuPont never accepted responsibility — even though its own tests had showed the same birth defects in mice exposed to C8. — Lisa Rosen, Los Angeles Times, "Some of those extras in ‘Dark Waters’ have real-life ties to the film’s story," 1 Jan. 2020 Villagers roll up their sleeves to show deformities caused by ingesting food contaminated by heavy metals. — Anchorage Daily News, "Chinese metal mines feed global demand for gadgets and poison China’s poorest regions," 30 Dec. 2019 The woman, who had been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) 18 years earlier, presented to a rheutmatology clinic for the treatment of severe joint deformities, per the case report. — Maggie O'neill, Health.com, "This X-Ray of a Woman’s 'Telescoping Fingers' Shows the Painful Reality of Living With Rheumatoid Arthritis," 11 Dec. 2019 The condition can cause inflammation, swelling and pain throughout the body that may lead to bone erosion and joint deformity. — Gabrielle Chung, PEOPLE.com, "Tatum O'Neal Shares Candid Photo of Her Scars as She Talks About Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis," 15 Jan. 2020 If left untreated, as was the case with Valerie, bowlegs can lead to deformities such as differences in leg lengths, difficulty walking and running and high risk of arthritis. — Fox News, "Teen with severe bowlegs undergoes life-changing operation," 3 Dec. 2019 Other young patients survive but battle blood abnormalities, bone deformities and organ damage. — Los Angeles Times, "1,306 U.S. infants were born with syphilis in 2018, even though it’s easy to prevent," 8 Oct. 2019 He and Smith won the TransRockies, despite Krar’s near constant pain from Haglund’s deformities in his heels. — Christine Fennessy, Outside Online, "The Coach That Meets You in Your Inbox," 16 Dec. 2019

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.

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Last Updated

27 Feb 2020

Cite this Entry

“Deformity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deformity. Accessed 29 Feb. 2020.

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More Definitions for deformity

deformity

noun

English Language Learners Definition of deformity

: a condition in which part of the body does not have the normal or expected shape

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

deformity

de·for·mi·ty | \ di-ˈfȯr-mə-tē

\

plural deformities

Kids Definition of deformity

1 : the condition of having a physical flaw

2 : a flaw in something and especially in the body of a person or animal

deformity

de·for·mi·ty | \ di-ˈfȯr-mət-ē

\

plural deformities

Medical Definition of deformity

1 : the state of being deformed

2 : a physical blemish or distortion deformities caused by thalidomide

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