as in distortions
the twisting of something out of its natural or normal shape or condition
the catastrophic deformation of the steel girders under the enormous weight of the bridge
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Recent Examples of deformations
The engineers then continuously tracked the slabs’ deformations.
—
Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 19 Feb. 2026
Most of the shifts and deformations gradually returned to normal by six months after return to Earth.
—Rachael Seidler, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2026
Though cranial deformations were not unheard of in Mesoamerica, researchers stressed that this type is less common than other types in the region — and unusually combines both tabular erect and tabular superior styles.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 29 Dec. 2025
Scientists in 2024 confirmed that Earth’s inner core reversed its spin, and in February 2025 the same team revealed changes to the inner core’s shape, with deformations in its shallowest level.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 29 Dec. 2025
The researchers found cracks in some of EURECA's composite struts, as well as fractures and deformations in several scientific instruments that remained on board.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 4 Dec. 2025
Asurvey of three species of octopuses from Europe and the Americas catalogued a total of 6,781 arm deformations.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harpers Magazine, 29 Oct. 2025
All in all, the researchers cataloged 3,907 arm actions that required 6,871 arm deformations.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 14 Sep. 2025
Past studies have observed tissue deformations that suggest cells apply force — when migrating and invading tumors, for example — and Ojosnegros and his team wanted to explore the hypothesis that this also happens in implantation.
—Leslie Katz, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025
Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 19 Feb. 2026
Most of the shifts and deformations gradually returned to normal by six months after return to Earth.
—Rachael Seidler, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2026
Though cranial deformations were not unheard of in Mesoamerica, researchers stressed that this type is less common than other types in the region — and unusually combines both tabular erect and tabular superior styles.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 29 Dec. 2025
Scientists in 2024 confirmed that Earth’s inner core reversed its spin, and in February 2025 the same team revealed changes to the inner core’s shape, with deformations in its shallowest level.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 29 Dec. 2025
The researchers found cracks in some of EURECA's composite struts, as well as fractures and deformations in several scientific instruments that remained on board.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 4 Dec. 2025
Asurvey of three species of octopuses from Europe and the Americas catalogued a total of 6,781 arm deformations.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harpers Magazine, 29 Oct. 2025
All in all, the researchers cataloged 3,907 arm actions that required 6,871 arm deformations.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 14 Sep. 2025
Past studies have observed tissue deformations that suggest cells apply force — when migrating and invading tumors, for example — and Ojosnegros and his team wanted to explore the hypothesis that this also happens in implantation.
—Leslie Katz, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deformations
Noun
-
The distortions of segregation in the South in the forties left their mark, to be sure, but behind his tropism for the limelight, underneath all the braggadocio that is mistaken for arrogance, lies Jesse Louis Jackson's greatest longing in life—the lust for legitimacy.—
Gail Sheehy,
Vanity Fair,
20 Feb. 2026
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The presence of other participants acts a key moderating factor in tempering ego and perceptual distortions that often occur with psychedelic use.—
Erica Rex,
STAT,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Investigators documented animals with health concerns including overgrown hooves, draining abscesses and limb deformities.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
27 Feb. 2026
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Ancient mosaics have been restored into laughable deformities of their previous selves.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deformations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deformations. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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