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meta·mor·pho·sis | \ ˌme-tə-ˈmȯr-fə-səs 
\
\ plural metamorphoses\ ˌme-tə-ˈmȯr-fə-ˌsēz \
\Definition of metamorphosis
1a : change of physical form, structure, or substance especially by supernatural means
the metamorphosis of humans into animals
b : a striking alteration in appearance, character, or circumstances
The company has gone through a series of metamorphoses.
2 : a typically marked and more or less abrupt developmental change in the form or structure of an animal (such as a butterfly or a frog) occurring subsequent to birth or hatching
the metamorphosis of caterpillars into butterflies
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Examples of metamorphosis in a Sentence
We have watched her metamorphosis from a shy schoolgirl into a self-confident businesswoman.
a company that has gone through a series of metamorphoses
The government has undergone political metamorphosis since his election.
the metamorphosis of tadpoles into frogs
The class learned about how caterpillars undergo metamorphosis to become butterflies.
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Recent Examples on the Web The political left, which over the years has not been as motivated about the courts, has undergone a metamorphosis since 2016 when Republicans blocked Obama's effort to fill the seat left open when Associate Justice Antonin Scalia died.
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Richard Wolf, USA TODAY, "President Trump has transformed the federal courts, but John Roberts still leads them," 1 July 2020 Completing the project and reaching the highest rank of Girl Scout ambassador was the teen’s own journey of metamorphosis, the name of Ariel’s project.
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Vincent T. Davis, ExpressNews.com, "San Antonio Girl Scout grows garden, future with help of strong mentors," 29 June 2020 In recent weeks, what began as an increasing number of straightforward pleas in her name have undergone a metamorphosis.
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NBC News, "Twitter memeified justice for Breonna Taylor. But can a joke make change?," 19 June 2020 The current Tiguan, however, has gone through a metamorphosis, sprouting a third row and reshaping itself into something more closely resembling a mid-size SUV.
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Nicholas Wallace, Car and Driver, "These Are the 8 Most Reliable Used SUVs," 13 June 2020 The Ann Arbor native transformed from walk-on to All-Big Ten leadoff hitter to third-round pick of the Chicago Cubs in the MLB draft on Thursday in a metamorphosis that still stuns those who witnessed it up close.
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Rainer Sabin, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan baseball can thank College World Series run for heralded status in draft," 13 June 2020 Thursday’s launch of OpenAI’s first commercial product completes the metamorphosis.
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Tom Simonite, Wired, "OpenAI's Text Generator Is Going Commercial," 11 June 2020 About a month into their development, the fry undergo a metamorphosis: Their skull shape begins to change, and one eye begins to migrate over the fish’s head to join the other.
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National Geographic, "Flatfishes," 11 June 2020 In March, as daily death tolls from COVID-19 climbed toward their peak in Italy, Zavoli’s sons watched the metamorphosis of caterpillars into butterflies.
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Tana Wojczuk, The New Yorker, "A Mother Turns Her Quarantine Yard Into an Enchanted Garden," 8 May 2020
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'metamorphosis.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for metamorphosis
metamorphosis
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of metamorphosis
: a major change in the appearance or character of someone or something
biology : a major change in the form or structure of some animals or insects that happens as the animal or insect becomes an adult
See the full definition for metamorphosis in the English Language Learners Dictionary
metamorphosis
nounmeta·mor·pho·sis | \ ˌme-tə-ˈmȯr-fə-səs \
\ plural metamorphoses\ -fə-ˌsēz \
Kids Definition of metamorphosis
1 : a great change in appearance or character
2 : the process of great and usually rather sudden change in the form and habits of some animals during transformation from an immature stage (as a caterpillar) to an adult stage (as a butterfly)
metamorphosis
nounmeta·mor·pho·sis | \ ˌmet-ə-ˈmȯr-fə-səs \
\ plural metamorphoses\ -ˌsēz \
\Medical Definition of metamorphosis
1 : change of physical form, structure, or substance
2 : a marked and more or less abrupt developmental change in the form or structure of an animal (as a butterfly or a frog) occurring subsequent to birth or hatching
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Time Traveler for metamorphosis
The first known use of metamorphosis was in the 15th century
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