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
Most of the shifts and deformations gradually returned to normal by six months after return to Earth.
—
Rachael Seidler, Space.com, 7 Mar. 2026
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
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
Rachael Seidler, Space.com, 7 Mar. 2026
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
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
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This could allow for greater design flexibility, as lower curing deformation results in fewer distortions during production.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Apr. 2026
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At Ulrik, these biomorphic forms echoed the surreal distortions that Bettina documented in Manhattan’s corporate architecture.—
Katherine Rochester,
Artforum,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Fish embryos that grow in the presence of oil may be born with heart defects, as well as spine and skull deformities.—
Jeffrey Marlow,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
-
In December 2023, the FDA issued a warning about the dangers of fat-dissolving injections after many reports of severe side effects, including permanent scars, serious infections, skin deformities, cysts, and deep, painful knots.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deformations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deformations. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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