Deform: meaning, definitions and examples

Use this word when you want to describe a change in shape that has made something look different, often in a negative way. This can apply to objects, bodies, or natural formations.

• The accident deformed the metal frame of the car.
• The disease can deform the joints, causing pain and difficulty in movement.

This word is usually used when referring to a change that makes something look twisted or out of shape. It can also apply to non-physical things like information or signals.

• The heat caused the plastic to distort, twisting it into an unrecognizable shape.
• The radio signal was distorted by interference, making it hard to hear.

This word is best used when describing damage that alters the appearance of a person or object, making them look unattractive or ugly. It often implies damage to something that was once beautiful or normal.

• The fire disfigured her face, leaving scars that required multiple surgeries.
• The painting was disfigured after being exposed to the harsh elements for too long.

Use this word for describing severe damage that involves cutting or tearing, often applied to bodies or objects. It has a strong negative connotation and suggests a violent action.

• The invaders mutilated the sculptures, leaving them in pieces.
• The victim’s body was mutilated beyond recognition, a brutal crime that shocked the community.

Use in situations where an object's shape is altered, typically by external forces or pressure. It is mostly neutral and descriptive.

• The heat caused the plastic to deform
• The mechanical stress deformed the metal

Use mostly in medical or biological contexts to describe an organ or body part that has grown in the wrong way. It emphasizes congenital or developmental abnormalities and has a negative connotation.

• The baby was born with a malformed heart
• Genetic mutations can cause limbs to malform

Use when something's shape is made incorrect or irregular. This term is less formal and can refer to unintentional and often accidental shape changes.

• The vase misshaped after it fell off the table
• The dough misshaped during baking

Use when discussing the change in appearance, especially in a way that makes something not look pleasant. It often has a negative connotation when relating to living beings.

• His hand was deformed due to a birth defect
• The crash deformed the front part of the car

Use when describing an alteration that makes something look twisted, unclear, or not in its original form. This can apply to physical objects, images, sounds, or even facts.

• The image on the TV screen showed some distortion
• His story of the events was filled with distortions

Used to refer to serious, often permanent damage to the appearance of a person or thing. This term has a strong negative connotation and is usually applied to living beings.

• The fire left him with severe facial disfigurement
• She wore makeup to cover the disfigurement caused by the accident

Best used in medical or biological contexts to describe an abnormality in the formation or structure of an organism, often congenital.

• The ultrasound showed a malformation in the baby's spine
• Genetic defects can lead to malformations in the heart