transmogrify

Synonym Chooser

How is the word transmogrify different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of transmogrify are convert, metamorphose, transfigure, transform, and transmute. While all these words mean "to change a thing into a different thing," transmogrify suggests a strange or preposterous metamorphosis.

a story in which a frog is transmogrified into a prince

When is convert a more appropriate choice than transmogrify?

While the synonyms convert and transmogrify are close in meaning, convert implies a change fitting something for a new or different use or function.

converted the study into a nursery

When is it sensible to use metamorphose instead of transmogrify?

The meanings of metamorphose and transmogrify largely overlap; however, metamorphose suggests an abrupt or startling change induced by or as if by magic or a supernatural power.

awkward girls metamorphosed into graceful ballerinas

In what contexts can transfigure take the place of transmogrify?

The synonyms transfigure and transmogrify are sometimes interchangeable, but transfigure implies a change that exalts or glorifies.

joy transfigured her face

When can transform be used instead of transmogrify?

While in some cases nearly identical to transmogrify, transform implies a major change in form, nature, or function.

transformed a small company into a corporate giant

When might transmute be a better fit than transmogrify?

In some situations, the words transmute and transmogrify are roughly equivalent. However, transmute implies transforming into a higher element or thing.

attempted to transmute lead into gold

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of transmogrify In that freedom, hip-hop music transmogrified from songs to studies. Keith Nelson, Men's Health, 12 Apr. 2023 In the 1980s and 1990s this transmogrified into an attack on science. Naomi Oreskes, Scientific American, 1 July 2020 After 40 years of getting worked over, Mercury would be transmogrified, or almost magically altered, and totally kaput. Adam Hadhazy, Popular Mechanics, 7 Mar. 2023 Or change its identity or transmogrify into a different social function of a space. Erik Morse, Vogue, 31 Jan. 2023 For those looking to dig deeper, here are the best books that deconstruct, analyze, and even transmogrify the star known as Marilyn Monroe. Nathan Smith, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2022 Cady seduces like a snake, charming his victims into their demise, but can as quickly transmogrify into a deranged beast striking fear into the Bowden family during a torrential storm. Lea Anderson, Men's Health, 29 Aug. 2022 For most basketball fans, that joy will transmogrify into disappointment, sadness or even fleeting anger once their favorite team is eliminated. Paul Eisenberg, chicagotribune.com, 21 Mar. 2021 Christians have been borrowing from other religions since the days when the pagan feast of Saturnalia transmogrified into Christmas and the Gaelic festival of Samhain became All Saints’ Day. The Economist, 24 Oct. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for transmogrify
Verb
  • Finally, the host’s genome must eventually mutate to accommodate the bacterium—allowing the two to evolve as a unit.
    Molly Herring, WIRED, 26 Jan. 2025
  • This departure from the WHO also endangers American lives because U.S. public health officials will lose access to a treasure trove of information needed to develop effective vaccines for constantly mutating infectious diseases like seasonal flu and COVID-19, Schaffner adds.
    Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 23 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Another expression emerged from everyday objects, which inspired Lynch to deform the mundane into a hellish din.
    Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Solids can also be deformed if enough pressure is applied to them.
    Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • In the dark comedy, Stan portrays a struggling actor with neurofibromatosis, a genetic condition that causes his face to be disfigured.
    Vivian Kwarm, New York Daily News, 4 Jan. 2025
  • Riley was found dead from blunt force trauma, after Ibarra disfigured her face, per authorities.
    Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Long before Donald Trump got into politics to redefine Americans in his terms, our states established mottos that define us.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2025
  • As Trump continues to redefine U.S.-EU relations, European leaders face mounting pressure to prepare for potential economic and security confrontations with their ally across the Atlantic.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The same pastel paint and glass blocks are featured here, distorting the tall palm trees outside.
    Nick Remsen, Vogue, 1 Feb. 2025
  • The wealth that’s poured in over the past few decades has distorted people’s notion of what life here used to be like.
    Peter Kiefer, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Looking over the four buildings on the property — the single family home Cortes and Bernson live in, two duplexes and an ancient tool shed refashioned as an artist’s studio — LA Más concluded the shed would have to go to make room for an ADU that would bring in market-rate rent.
    Doug Smith, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024
  • The show is loosely based on the stripper’s memoir, but Arthur Laurents, who wrote the book, refashioned it as the story of her mother.
    Adam Moss, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Corrective measures can include changing power levels, redesigning an antenna, and updating software parameters to influence an antenna’s behavior.
    IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 29 Jan. 2025
  • The Toyota Camry also has been redesigned for the 2025 model year to an all hybrid lineup.
    Susan Tompor, USA TODAY, 28 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The person said Perplexity’s proposal was revised based off of feedback from the Trump administration.
    Christopher Rugaber, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2025
  • In 2016, the federation revised those voluntary guidelines, increasing the minimum distance to 1,000 feet.
    Ames Alexander, Charlotte Observer, 26 Jan. 2025

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Thesaurus Entries Near transmogrify

Cite this Entry

“Transmogrify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/transmogrify. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.

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