as in distorts
to twist (something) out of a natural or normal shape or condition
a cynic whose face seems to be permanently deformed by a sneer
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Recent Examples of deforms
Going to space is harsh on the human body, and as a new study from our research team finds, the brain shifts upward and backward and deforms inside the skull after spaceflight.
—
Rachael Seidler, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2026
Conventional drones hit their limits at around 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) as their frame deforms and electronics fail.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 26 Jan. 2026
According to Burlison, the video shows a high-speed object—presumably the missile—hitting the orb, which then deforms, tumbles, and sheds smaller fragments, one barely visible.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
This movement deforms a fault network stretching west, where shallow earthquake occur (shown in orange and red).
—David Bressan, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Rachael Seidler, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2026
Conventional drones hit their limits at around 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) as their frame deforms and electronics fail.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 26 Jan. 2026
According to Burlison, the video shows a high-speed object—presumably the missile—hitting the orb, which then deforms, tumbles, and sheds smaller fragments, one barely visible.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
This movement deforms a fault network stretching west, where shallow earthquake occur (shown in orange and red).
—David Bressan, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deforms
Verb
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Today’s staged raid reinforces our conviction that this investigation distorts French law, circumvents due process, and endangers free speech.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
4 Feb. 2026
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That pressure distorts the justice system.—
Jaime Huff,
Oc Register,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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At this point, you’d be forgiven for expecting a straightforward werewolf story, but Cassidy’s novel stretches and contorts into something far stranger, more audacious, and ultimately, both heartbreaking and triumphant.—
Emma Alpern,
Vulture,
2 Dec. 2025
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With an almost modern-day Charlie Chaplin-esque physicality, Moss dances, contorts, and frolics amongst the shoes, their boxes, and fixtures in the store for a mesmerizing, can't-look-away effect.—
Roxanne Robinson,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deforms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deforms. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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