disfigure

verb

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

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.
And from the first installment of the Nightmare franchise, he's always had a trademark look: a face disfigured by burn scars, a dirty red and green striped sweater paired with a brown fedora and a leather glove adorned with metal claws on his right hand. Stacy Lambe, People.com, 10 Oct. 2024 While filming in Sniper Alley during the Bosnian War, a stray gunshot left her permanently disfigured. Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 21 Nov. 2024 Police arrested Dean three days later and charged him with assault causing grievous bodily harm and throwing a corrosive substance with intent to maim, burn or disfigure. Sean Neumann, People.com, 28 Oct. 2024 The angry passengers ritually disfigure their bags in front of the other boarding passengers, as if somehow their sacrifice will convince the airline of the error of its ways. Christopher Elliott, USA TODAY, 11 Oct. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near disfigure

Cite this Entry

“Disfigure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disfigure. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on disfigure

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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