disfigure

verb

dis·​fig·​ure dis-ˈfi-gyər How to pronounce disfigure (audio)
especially British -ˈfi-gə
disfigured; disfiguring; disfigures
Synonyms of disfigurenext

transitive verb

1
: to impair (as in beauty) by deep and persistent injuries
a face disfigured by smallpox
2
obsolete : disguise
disfigurement
dis-ˈfi-gyər-mənt How to pronounce disfigure (audio)
especially British -ˈfi-gə-
noun

Examples of disfigure in a Sentence

His face was disfigured by a scar. the statue was seriously disfigured by falling rubble during the earthquake
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
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 The attack permanently disfigured Ruby and left both her daughters, who tried their hardest to save their mother as just two teeny-tiny girls, with scars of their own. Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 13 May 2026 The novel concerns being Jewish, being an immigrant, class, family, wealth, and how that wealth can disfigure people. Time, 12 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for disfigure

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French desfigurer, from des- dis- + figure figure

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of disfigure was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Disfigure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disfigure. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

disfigure

verb
dis·​fig·​ure dis-ˈfig-yər How to pronounce disfigure (audio)
especially British -ˈfig-ər
: to spoil the appearance of
disfigured by a scar
disfigurement noun

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