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
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
The scientists found several defects, including cracks in EURECA’s composite struts, as well as fractures and deformations in the satellite’s scientific instruments.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 26 Nov. 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
As a user draws or writes with the stylus, deformations in the tip change the magnetic field, and movement of the ferrofluid makes the pen sensitive to acceleration both across a writing surface or in the air.
—Greg Uyeno, IEEE Spectrum, 2 June 2025
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
The scientists found several defects, including cracks in EURECA’s composite struts, as well as fractures and deformations in the satellite’s scientific instruments.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 26 Nov. 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
As a user draws or writes with the stylus, deformations in the tip change the magnetic field, and movement of the ferrofluid makes the pen sensitive to acceleration both across a writing surface or in the air.
—Greg Uyeno, IEEE Spectrum, 2 June 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deformations
Noun
-
To bad actors, the grim reality on the ground in Minneapolis is simply fodder for low-effort memes and propagandistic distortions, curated for clicks and boosted visibility.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
17 Jan. 2026
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Implementation would be extremely complex, economic distortions might exceed those of the current system and hence expected tax revenues would probably fall short of what is needed to finance a broader social transition.—
London Business School,
Forbes.com,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The genetic disorder is a connective tissue disease that leads to fragile bones and related complications like short stature, bone deformities, and fractures, per Mayo Clinic.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Dec. 2025
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Roots become dehydrated, and water stress causes stunting, deformities, and dieback.—
Barbara Gillette,
The Spruce,
29 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deformations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deformations. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
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