misshapen

adjective

mis·​shap·​en ˌmis-ˈshā-pən 

1

: having an ugly or deformed shape

It is, in fact, a homely and misshapen little gray airplane that looks like it was cobbled together in someone's garage.

—Patricia Trenner

2

: morally or intellectually deformed or distorted

misshapen ideas of justice

misshapenly adverb

She has brought Trot, her mangy mongrel, with her. He lies misshapenly across her vast lap …

—John le Carré

misshapenness noun

… masterpieces of dullness, misshapenness, and folly …

—Louis Simpson

Synonyms of misshapen

• distorted
• monstrous
• deformed

Examples of misshapen in a Sentence

the returning camper proudly presented his mother with a misshapen clay bowl that he had made in crafts class

Recent Examples on the Web

Never soak leather or put it in the washing machine, which can result in dry, cracked, misshapen gloves that end up in the trash. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 8 June 2026

Heat can weaken fibers and cause fabrics to yellow or fade, leaving items misshapen or looking dingy. —Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 June 2026

These misshapen and withered figurines—a teddy bear with a candle and a turkey in pointed shoes—looked over at the photos from low plinths in one corner of the gallery. —Theo Belci, Artforum, 2 June 2026

If the cucumbers are starting to turn yellow, have wrinkled skin, or have become misshapen, they've usually been left on the vine too long. —Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 2 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for misshapen

• shapen

Kids Definition

misshapen

adjective

mis·​shap·​en

(ˈ)mis-ˈshā-pən, 

(ˈ)mish-

: badly shaped : having an ugly shape