deform

/ˌdiˈfɔrm/

Other forms: deformed; deforming; deforms

To deform is to force something to have a new shape by pushing or twisting it. While some kids love to shape animals out of clay, others prefer to deform their friends' elephants and puppies.

In physics or engineering, to deform something is to change its shape by applying force. You're more likely to come across the word deformed, used either as an adjective or a verb: "My cat's paws are deformed—see, she's got two extra toes on every foot." The source of this word is the verb deform, or "disfigure," which comes from the Latin deformare, "put out of shape."

Definitions of deform

1. verb

   assume a different shape or form
   synonyms: change form, change shape

   types:

   roll

   take the shape of a roll or cylinder

   grain, granulate

   become granular

   bulge, pouch, protrude

   swell or protrude outwards

   point, sharpen, taper

   give a point to

   furl, roll up

   form into a cylinder by rolling

   flatten, flatten out

   become flat or flatter

   draw

   contract

   batter, dinge

   make a dent or impression in

   distort, twine, twist

   form into a spiral shape

   bend, flex, turn, twist

   cause (a plastic object) to assume a crooked or angular form

   bend, flex

   form a curve

   extend, stretch, stretch out, unfold

   extend or stretch out to a greater or the full length

   bug out, bulge, bulge out, come out, pop, pop out, protrude, start

   bulge outward

   bulk

   stick out or up

   acuminate

   make sharp or acute; taper; make (something) come to a point

   douse

   lower quickly

   reef

   roll up (a portion of a sail) in order to reduce its area

   bolt

   make or roll into bolts

   splat

   flatten on impact

   gather in, take in

   fold up

   brail

   take in a sail with a brail

   dent, indent

   make a depression into

   incurvate

   cause to curve inward

   gnarl

   twist into a state of deformity

   crank

   bend into the shape of a crank

   convolute, convolve

   curl, wind, or twist together

   wrench, wring

   twist and compress, as if in pain or anguish

   contort, distort, wring

   twist and press out of shape

   press

   place between two surfaces and apply weight or pressure

   entangle, mat, snarl, tangle

   twist together or entwine into a confusing mass

   enlace, entwine, interlace, intertwine, lace, twine

   spin,wind, or twist together

   spin

   work natural fibers into a thread

   interweave, weave

   interlace by or as if by weaving

   crook, curve

   bend or cause to bend

   arc, arch, curve

   form an arch or curve

   incurvate

   bend inwards

   replicate, retroflex

   bend or turn backward

   angle, lean, slant, tilt, tip

   incline or bend from a vertical position

   bend, bow, crouch, stoop

   bend one's back forward from the waist on down

   double, double over, double up

   bend over or curl up, usually with laughter or pain

   cower, crawl, creep, cringe, fawn, grovel

   show submission or fear

   curl, curl up, draw in

   shape one's body into a curl

   type of:

   change

   undergo a change; become different in essence; losing one's or its original nature
2. verb

   twist and press out of shape
   synonyms: contort, distort, wring

   wrench, wring

   twist and compress, as if in pain or anguish

   wring

   twist, squeeze, or compress in order to extract liquid

   types:

   morph

   change shape as via computer animation

   type of:

   distort, twine, twist

   form into a spiral shape
3. verb

   become misshapen
   “The sidewalk deformed during the earthquake”

   type of:

   change form, change shape

   assume a different shape or form
4. verb

   alter the shape of (something) by stress
   “His body was deformed by leprosy”

   synonyms: distort, strain

   types:

   jaundice

   distort adversely

   type of:

   form, shape

   give shape or form to
5. verb

   cause (a plastic object) to assume a crooked or angular form
   synonyms: bend, flex, turn, twist

   types:

   dent, indent

   make a depression into

   incurvate

   cause to curve inward

   gnarl

   twist into a state of deformity

   crank

   bend into the shape of a crank

   convolute, convolve

   curl, wind, or twist together

   type of:

   change form, change shape

   assume a different shape or form
6. verb

   make formless
   “the heat deformed the plastic sculpture”

   type of:

   alter, change, modify

   cause to change; make different; cause a transformation