disfigure

verb

dis·​fig·​ure dis-ˈfi-gyər 

 especially British  -ˈfi-gə

disfigured; disfiguring; disfigures

transitive verb

1

: to impair (as in beauty) by deep and persistent injuries

a face disfigured by smallpox

2

obsolete : disguise

disfigurement

dis-ˈfi-gyər-mənt 

 especially British  -ˈfi-gə-

noun

Synonyms

• injure
• damage
• mar
• cripple
• hurt
• weaken
• impair

Examples of disfigure in a Sentence

His face was disfigured by a scar.

the statue was seriously disfigured by falling rubble during the earthquake

Recent Examples on the Web

The accident leaves him horrifically disfigured, but also gifts him with enhanced strength. —Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025

Killing or seriously disfiguring a neighbor's plants can be grounds for a court battle. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2025

Light, the angle of observation, mental shortcuts, and expectations can disfigure our perceptions of objective reality. —Big Think, 20 Aug. 2025

Clayface, which sources have said will have a budget in the mid-$40 million range, centers on an ascending actor (Harries) whose face is disfigured by a gangster. —Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 11 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French desfigurer, from des- dis- + figure figure

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for disfigure

• configure
• prefigure
• figure
• reconfigure

Kids Definition

disfigure

verb

dis·​fig·​ure dis-ˈfig-yər 

 especially British  -ˈfig-ər

: to spoil the appearance of

disfigured by a scar

disfigurement

-mənt 

noun