as in distorted
badly or imperfectly formed
his first sculpture looked more like a deformed rabbit than a galloping horse
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in tortured
to twist (something) out of a natural or normal shape or condition
a cynic whose face seems to be permanently deformed by a sneer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of deformed
A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 20 May 2025
The show, based on the video game franchise of the same name, is nearing the end of its second season, which takes place five years after the events of its first, decades after a viral fungus turned much of humanity into deformed, zombie-like creatures.
—Leah Prinzivalli, Allure, 11 May 2025
Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Sep. 2025
As a result, his vocals have a kind of stately yet starry-eyed quality, giving structure to these deformed, cosmic beats from the internet abyss.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deformed
Adjective
Those outside the Lloyd Kaufman fan club may still be curious to see Peter Dinklage in the title role of a meek slob janitor who starts really cleaning up the city after an accident with radioactive waste transforms him into a deformed vigilante.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 20 May 2025
The show, based on the video game franchise of the same name, is nearing the end of its second season, which takes place five years after the events of its first, decades after a viral fungus turned much of humanity into deformed, zombie-like creatures.
—Leah Prinzivalli, Allure, 11 May 2025
Verb
The unmistakable signature of chilli thrips are blooms that look deformed, scorched, singed and burnt.
—Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Sep. 2025
As a result, his vocals have a kind of stately yet starry-eyed quality, giving structure to these deformed, cosmic beats from the internet abyss.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deformed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deformed
Adjective
-
This is the first in a series of mysterious and increasingly frightening events that follow him through his childhood, all of it narrated in 'Penpal' by his adult self peering through a distorted lens of shaky, imperfect recall.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Their cry is not against the faith itself but against distorted theology that excuses cruelty.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
As of 2025, at least 130 people are known to have been tortured by Burge and his detectives.—
Omar Jimenez,
CNN Money,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Another 11 suspected Tren de Aragua members were hit with multiple felony charges in December after a couple living in the now-shuttered Edge of Lowry apartments was kidnapped and tortured.—
John Aguilar,
Denver Post,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Perhaps the final three episodes will pull together a cogent statement or two, something beyond the trope of ostensibly idyllic small towns hiding monstrous truths behind their white picket fences.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
22 Oct. 2025
-
There, Henry took a monstrous turn and became Venca.—
Eliana Dockterman,
Time,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
One oral tradition about Lake Nyos describes how people long ago attempted to cross the dry lake bed between the high, contorted rock formations of the maar’s volcanic rim.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Rogalski contorted his body and got a foot down in bounds to secure the interception at Mahtomedi’s 42 yard line.—
Andrew Cornelius,
Twin Cities,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
No trail, just rock after rock, a phantom rattlesnake curled in every crevice.—
Rowan Jacobsen,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
-
After a flurry of Mahtomedi early second-half chances, senior Oona Lienke used her defender as a shield and curled a shot towards the bottom corner.—
Andrew Cornelius,
Twin Cities,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deformed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deformed. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share