malformed

adjective

mal·​formed ˌmal-ˈfȯrmd How to pronounce malformed (audio)
: characterized by malformation : badly or imperfectly formed : misshapen

Examples of malformed in a Sentence

a clay sculpture of an eagle that was so malformed that it looked more like a feathered football
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.
Some of the movie’s visual flaws — like the malformed CGI snow in its opening scene — can be easily forgiven as a fairytale-like flourishes when a younger, homeless Hornclaw (Shin Si-ah) is taken in by a kindly restaurant owner who also claims to work in pest control. Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 16 Feb. 2025 But a malformed command in Python usually returns an error message that keeps the code from running, not something that fails brilliantly yet monstrously, outpacing its creators’ intentions. Tim Carmody, WIRED, 6 Jan. 2025 This psychological thriller maps out a world of malformed desire and ingestive paranoia without the need for gutsy special effects. Rory Doherty, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2024 The tall clay-like skin creature looks like a candle melting in human form, without eyes, and with malformed hands that resemble a fetus’ in a sonogram. Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 14 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for malformed

Word History

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of malformed was in 1817

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Malformed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/malformed. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

malformed

adjective
mal·​formed (ˈ)mal-ˈfȯ(ə)rmd How to pronounce malformed (audio)
: marked by malformation : badly or imperfectly formed : misshapen

Medical Definition

malformed

adjective
mal·​formed (ˈ)mal-ˈfȯ(ə)rmd How to pronounce malformed (audio)
: characterized by malformation : badly or imperfectly formed
a malformed limb

More from Merriam-Webster on malformed

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