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.
The incident left her face disfigured and her throat burned. Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026 Ikram, now 26, survived the attack but was blinded in her right eye and permanently disfigured. Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 10 Feb. 2026 Use a sharp pair of pruners and be careful not to disfigure the shrub or tree while harvesting branches. Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026 Born from Raimi’s desire to make a movie about pulp hero the Shadow before he was denied the rights by Universal, Darkman is an original creation, starring Liam Neeson as a scientist who is disfigured in a mob attack and given superpowers thanks to an experimental treatment. James Grebey, Vulture, 31 Jan. 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 15 Feb. 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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