as in distorts
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
Relevance
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 deforms
Going to space is harsh on the human body, and as a new study from our research team finds, the brain shifts upward and backward and deforms inside the skull after spaceflight.
—
Rachael Seidler, Space.com, 7 Mar. 2026
Once a metal damper deforms to save a building, the parts must be replaced.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 Mar. 2026
Going to space is harsh on the human body, and as a new study from our research team finds, the brain shifts upward and backward and deforms inside the skull after spaceflight.
—Rachael Seidler, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2026
According to Burlison, the video shows a high-speed object—presumably the missile—hitting the orb, which then deforms, tumbles, and sheds smaller fragments, one barely visible.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
This movement deforms a fault network stretching west, where shallow earthquake occur (shown in orange and red).
—David Bressan, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Rachael Seidler, Space.com, 7 Mar. 2026
Once a metal damper deforms to save a building, the parts must be replaced.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 Mar. 2026
Going to space is harsh on the human body, and as a new study from our research team finds, the brain shifts upward and backward and deforms inside the skull after spaceflight.
—Rachael Seidler, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2026
According to Burlison, the video shows a high-speed object—presumably the missile—hitting the orb, which then deforms, tumbles, and sheds smaller fragments, one barely visible.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
This movement deforms a fault network stretching west, where shallow earthquake occur (shown in orange and red).
—David Bressan, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deforms
Verb
-
That is to say that the way the current system is set up distorts the healthcare economy in ways that don’t allow for much price competition, with ever-rising insurance premiums as the result.—
Jeremy Lott,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
-
First, the skull weakens and distorts sound waves.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
As a magnetar spins on its axis at nearly the speed of light, its immense magnetic field contorts, coils and twists to pump out powerful radiation.—
Joseph Howlett,
Scientific American,
11 Mar. 2026
-
At this point, you’d be forgiven for expecting a straightforward werewolf story, but Cassidy’s novel stretches and contorts into something far stranger, more audacious, and ultimately, both heartbreaking and triumphant.—
Emma Alpern,
Vulture,
2 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deforms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deforms. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
