to deform

59 4.8

To change a thing's normal shape so it becomes bent or twisted

verb
/dɪˈfɔrm/

: deformar

The usual way to explain this is with a large marble on a rubber sheet that deforms the rubber.
deform shapes
forces deform
deform slightly

If we want to say it, we've deformed the system slightly.

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Examples

The hot sun caused the plastic bottle to deform and lose its original shape.
After the weight was placed on it, the metal began to deform under the pressure.
And it would change the result by deforming the shape of the packet.
At constant pressure, heated skin did not deform as much as unheated skin.

Academic text (1999)
When force is applied to a bone before it breaks, it will of course deform or strain by some amount in comparison to its original shape.
Huge masses of Roman concrete, like those in the walls of the Pantheon, dried slowly and tended to deform under pressure.
This means that while beryllium is easier to break than steel, it's harder to deform before it actually breaks, giving it excellent dimensional stability.
Rubber can deform more than most solids, and that matters because up closely close, most surfaces aren't what they seem.

Kyle Hill
Today, conservatives correctly argue that our government has become a deforming force, corrupting the country's character.

Academic text (1996)
When the clay is heated, it can deform and take on new shapes if you mold it carefully.

Synonyms

to bend

vsto deform

268 1.0

To make something curved instead of straight

implies a more damaging change that makes shape unattractive or spoiled

to twist

vsto deform

231 1.7

To turn something so it becomes a curved or spiral shape

includes such turning but emphasizes resulting spoiled or twisted appearance

to distort

vsto deform

59 4.3

To change the shape of something so it is no longer normal

stresses physical spoiling that makes objects bent, twisted, or unattractive

to reshape

vsto deform

49 3.5

To change the form of something so it looks different

usually implies unwanted spoiling of normal shape rather than deliberate remaking

to disfigure

vsto deform

31 5.8

Spoil the appearance of a person or thing by damaging it

focuses on altering normal shape into bent, twisted, or less attractive form

to warp

vsto deform

26 4.9

To bend out of shape when heated or wet

is the general act of spoiling normal shape not tied to specific causes

to contort

vsto deform

17 7.5

To twist a body or object into a strange shape

describes similar shape spoilage but generally less violent or extreme

to change shape

vsto deform

9 3.6

To become a different shape

suggests spoilage or ugliness from changing the normal shape

to change form

vsto deform

4 3.9

To become a different shape or look

focuses specifically on spoiling the normal shape, often making it unattractive

to strain

vsto deform

Specialized

3 4.2

To change the shape of something by putting force on it

covers that spoilage but also other causes that make shapes unattractive

to misshape

vsto deform

1 6.9

To make something have the wrong form

changes or spoils normal shape causing bending, twisting, or ugliness

Antonyms

to maintain

931 3.1

Keep an activity, quality, or schedule going over time

to restore

219 3.5

Return something like a painting or building to its original working condition

How Deformed

to mangle

NSFW

21 6.1

to deform

59 4.8

to warp

26 4.9

to bend

268 1.0

Surface Forms

deform infinitive

deformed past

deformed past participle

deforming present participle

deforms third person singular

Morphology

deform = form (semi-transparent) = de + form

The link to 'form' as shape is clear, but the prefix 'de-' is not fully reliable for learners and the sense narrows to spoiling or distorting shape rather than simply reversing formation.

Etymology

Deform comes from the parts de- ('away') and forma ('shape'), and you can see the same root in the common word form. So, to deform something is to take its shape away or to change and spoil its normal shape.