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 of disfigure

• 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 trouble is, the new growth is highly susceptible to a disfiguring disease called Entomosporium leaf spot. —Steve Bender, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2026

Hollenbeck and Watkins were reacting to the news outlets’ series, which examined allegations of disfiguring injuries or even deaths tied to cosmetic surgeries. —Fred Schulte, NBC news, 10 Mar. 2026

Chatfield State Park has been damaged, disfigured, and stripped of healthy trees, over 6,000, with more to die. —Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 28 Feb. 2026

In 2004, Ukrainian presidential candidate Viktor Yuschenko, running against a Russian favourite, was left permanently disfigured by a dioxin attack. —The Week Uk, TheWeek, 17 Feb. 2026

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