malleability

noun

mal·​lea·​bil·​i·​ty ˌma-lē-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce malleability (audio)
ˌmal-yə-,
ˌma-lə-
: the quality or state of being malleable: such as
a
: capability of being shaped or extended by hammering, forging, etc.
the malleability of tin
b
: capability of being influenced or altered by external forces
The malleability of memory … is the first reason why autobiographies should be taken with a grain of salt.Judith Rich Harris

Examples of malleability in a Sentence

the malleability and conductivity of gold makes it well-suited for use in electronic circuitry
Recent Examples on the Web Apple also revealed the Apple Pencil Pro, which promises more malleability over your projects than the regular Apple Pencil for only $30 more, along with updates to the suite of apps that use the stylus. Florence Ion / Gizmodo, Quartz, 7 May 2024 In South Korea, a technological powerhouse, firms are taking advantage of the technology’s malleability to shape A.I. systems from the ground up to address local needs. John Yoon, New York Times, 20 Dec. 2023 Her leg warmers change color from moment to moment, reflecting her own emotional malleability. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2024 Fascinated by reorganization, adaptation and growth in her work, Davenport was inspired by the malleability of the brain in developing the sequence. Lori Youmshajekian, Scientific American, 4 Dec. 2023 But, for ideological reasons, his father forbade him to study biology; in Howard’s view, the possibility of genetic determinism contravened the Communist belief in the ultimate malleability of human nature. Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker, 13 Nov. 2023 But the concept of malleability works in both ways. Kevin Reynolds, The Salt Lake Tribune, 25 Feb. 2022 Second, the malleability of Putin’s ideology helps the regime accommodate change, smooth over discrepancies, and appeal to different constituencies without undermining its core message. Maria Snegovaya, Foreign Affairs, 16 Nov. 2023 This intrinsic malleability and openness to evolution is what makes platforms so hard to observe directly. Leo Kim, WIRED, 5 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'malleability.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1644, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of malleability was in 1644

Dictionary Entries Near malleability

Cite this Entry

“Malleability.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/malleability. Accessed 18 May. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!