deform
verb
de·form di-ˈfȯrm 
dē-
deformed; deforming; deforms
transitive verb
1
: to spoil the form of
2
a
: to spoil the looks of : disfigure
a face deformed by bitterness
b
: to mar the character of
a marriage deformed by jealousy
3
: to alter the shape of by stress
intransitive verb
: to become misshapen or changed in shape
deformable
di-ˈfȯr-mə-bəl
adjective dē-
Synonyms
- contort
- distort
- misshape
- screw
- squinch
- torture
- warp
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The disease eventually deforms the bones. The disease eventually causes the bones to deform.
Recent Examples on the Web These structures employed the same manufacturing technique as 3D printing but were designed to deform over time in response to changes in humidity and temperature. 
Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 30 Aug. 2022 Metal blade bolts do have some ability to stretch and deform without breaking. The Oregonian - OregonLive.com, 27 Aug. 2022 When crashing a car, the brake pedal is prone to causing injuries to the lower extremities—especially when the firewall begins to deform. Matt Crisara, Popular Mechanics, 10 Aug. 2022 However, according to researchers the impact may deform Didymoon much more severely than previously thought. Jamie Carter, Forbes, 29 June 2022 The conflict is on full display in black holes, which deform space so severely that gravity’s more fundamental, quantum nature cannot be ignored. Quanta Magazine, 20 Apr. 2022 According to Viswanathan, some rechargeable batteries have hard metal shells that resist the buildup of internal pressure and don’t visibly deform very much. Washington Post, 18 Apr. 2022 The XT Extreme’s air cells deform independently, allowing the four-inch-thick pad to mold around your body. Ryan Stuart, Outside Online, 10 May 2021 The thicker, stronger carcass of an LT tire, inflated to a higher pressure, will deform less over small bumps than a P/Euro-metric one, transmitting those movements to the suspension. Wes Siler, Outside Online, 6 Apr. 2021 See More
Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 30 Aug. 2022 Metal blade bolts do have some ability to stretch and deform without breaking. The Oregonian - OregonLive.com, 27 Aug. 2022 When crashing a car, the brake pedal is prone to causing injuries to the lower extremities—especially when the firewall begins to deform. Matt Crisara, Popular Mechanics, 10 Aug. 2022 However, according to researchers the impact may deform Didymoon much more severely than previously thought. Jamie Carter, Forbes, 29 June 2022 The conflict is on full display in black holes, which deform space so severely that gravity’s more fundamental, quantum nature cannot be ignored. Quanta Magazine, 20 Apr. 2022 According to Viswanathan, some rechargeable batteries have hard metal shells that resist the buildup of internal pressure and don’t visibly deform very much. Washington Post, 18 Apr. 2022 The XT Extreme’s air cells deform independently, allowing the four-inch-thick pad to mold around your body. Ryan Stuart, Outside Online, 10 May 2021 The thicker, stronger carcass of an LT tire, inflated to a higher pressure, will deform less over small bumps than a P/Euro-metric one, transmitting those movements to the suspension. Wes Siler, Outside Online, 6 Apr. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French desfurmer, from Latin deformare, from de- + formare to form, from forma form
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Kids Definition
deform
verb
de·form di-ˈfȯrm
deformed; deforming
: to spoil the form or the natural appearance of
deforming
verb
as in distorting
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
- distorting
- warping
- contorting
- misshaping
- torturing
- screwing
- curling
- disfiguring
- squinching
- defacing
- coiling
- winding
- looping
- twining
- spiraling
- wrenching
- spiralling
- wringing
- wresting
- wreathing
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- straightening
- uncurling
- unbending