transmogrify

Definition of transmogrifynext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word transmogrify different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of transmogrify are convert, metamorphose, transfigure, transform, and transmute. While all these words mean "to change a thing into a different thing," transmogrify suggests a strange or preposterous metamorphosis.

a story in which a frog is transmogrified into a prince

When is convert a more appropriate choice than transmogrify?

While the synonyms convert and transmogrify are close in meaning, convert implies a change fitting something for a new or different use or function.

converted the study into a nursery

When is it sensible to use metamorphose instead of transmogrify?

The meanings of metamorphose and transmogrify largely overlap; however, metamorphose suggests an abrupt or startling change induced by or as if by magic or a supernatural power.

awkward girls metamorphosed into graceful ballerinas

In what contexts can transfigure take the place of transmogrify?

The synonyms transfigure and transmogrify are sometimes interchangeable, but transfigure implies a change that exalts or glorifies.

joy transfigured her face

When can transform be used instead of transmogrify?

While in some cases nearly identical to transmogrify, transform implies a major change in form, nature, or function.

transformed a small company into a corporate giant

When might transmute be a better fit than transmogrify?

In some situations, the words transmute and transmogrify are roughly equivalent. However, transmute implies transforming into a higher element or thing.

attempted to transmute lead into gold

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 transmogrify During the negotiations between Obama and Raúl, there was still the idea that somehow parts of the revolution—its socialist project—could be saved, and that Cuba could somehow transmogrify into a fairer, more modern place with a social cradle. Caroline Mimbs Nyce, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025 Unlike conventional corn syrup, a form of glucose derived from starch that has been around for over 200 years, high fructose corn syrup wasn’t developed until after World War II, when scientists in Japan began tinkering with the grain, hoping to transmogrify this staple into new products. Stephen Mihm, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2025 In that freedom, hip-hop music transmogrified from songs to studies. Keith Nelson, Men's Health, 12 Apr. 2023 After 40 years of getting worked over, Mercury would be transmogrified, or almost magically altered, and totally kaput. Adam Hadhazy, Popular Mechanics, 7 Mar. 2023 Or change its identity or transmogrify into a different social function of a space. Erik Morse, Vogue, 31 Jan. 2023 For those looking to dig deeper, here are the best books that deconstruct, analyze, and even transmogrify the star known as Marilyn Monroe. Nathan Smith, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2022 For most basketball fans, that joy will transmogrify into disappointment, sadness or even fleeting anger once their favorite team is eliminated. Paul Eisenberg, chicagotribune.com, 21 Mar. 2021 In the 1980s and 1990s this transmogrified into an attack on science. Naomi Oreskes, Scientific American, 1 July 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for transmogrify
Verb
  • In the film, biotechnology professor Se-jeong, played by Jun, attends an industry conference that descends into chaos after a rapidly mutating virus is released.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 May 2026
  • The unlikely pair of characters must fend off hostile robots and mutating creatures in a quest to return to planet Earth.
    Jeff Spry, Space.com, 10 May 2026
Verb
  • Bathed in sunlight, deformed by the wide angle shot, there was our living room.
    Francesco Pacifico, The Dial, 12 May 2026
  • Weakened by a brief-but-corrosive bath of sulfuric acid droplets during its plunge, the probe would’ve inevitably deformed and ruptured upon reaching the ground.
    Emma Gometz, Scientific American, 10 May 2026
Verb
  • Foster pleaded guilty to one count of attempt to kill, disfigure, or maim an animal of another in June, according to the court record.
    James Powel, USA Today, 15 May 2026
  • The disfiguring bulge in Dinah’s lower face went away.
    Stephen King, The Atlantic, 15 May 2026
Verb
  • The story follows farm girl and high school outcast Taylah Simpkins (Abbott), who is certain the upcoming Debutante Ball, ‘the Deb,’ is her one chance to redefine herself.
    Alex Ritman, Variety, 12 May 2026
  • Hawaii lawmakers on Friday sent a bill to the governor that would redefine corporations in a way that precludes spending on elections.
    ABC News, ABC News, 12 May 2026
Verb
  • Both are used to distort drone and missile guidance systems.
    The Week UK, TheWeek, 13 May 2026
  • These developments do not rise to a level where AI can be said to be distorting the economy.
    Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2026
Verb
  • The project is one more makeover refashioning the nation’s capital to Trump’s liking, following others such as the demolition of the White House's East Wing to make room for a new ballroom.
    ABC News, ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Others were quick to point out that jewels from the royal collection are regularly refashioned and worn by multiple people, such as the Cullinan III and IV brooch that Queen Mary (Queen Elizabeth II’s grandmother) once wore as a necklace.
    Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • According to Locus, Array reduces reliance on manual labor by up to 90 percent, maintains consistent throughput under changing market and employment conditions and enables operations to scale and adapt without redesigning infrastructure.
    Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 12 May 2026
  • Lastly, Google has redesigned its emoji yet again.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 12 May 2026
Verb
  • The Commanders revised their defense and will now operate in Jones’ system, which could look quite similar to Brian Flores’ defense with the Minnesota Vikings.
    Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 15 May 2026
  • That means updating our building codes to require more fire-resistant materials; revising our land-use policies to minimize building in predictably flammable areas at the edge of wildlands; and disincentivizing oil companies from further exacerbating climate change.
    Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards, Mercury News, 15 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Transmogrify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/transmogrify. Accessed 19 May. 2026.

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