Thesaurus results for METAMORPHOSE

Q: How is the word 'metamorphose' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of metamorphose are convert , transfigure , transform , transmogrify , and transmute . While all these words mean "to change a thing into a different thing," metamorphose suggests an abrupt or startling change induced by or as if by magic or a supernatural power. // awkward girls metamorphosed into graceful ballerinas

Q: When can 'convert' be used instead of 'metamorphose'?

While the synonyms convert and metamorphose are close in meaning, convert implies a change fitting something for a new or different use or function. // converted the study into a nursery

Q: When might 'transfigure' be a better fit than 'metamorphose'?

While in some cases nearly identical to metamorphose , transfigure implies a change that exalts or glorifies. // joy transfigured her face

Q: When is 'transform' a more appropriate choice than 'metamorphose'?

Although the words transform and metamorphose have much in common, transform implies a major change in form, nature, or function. // transformed a small company into a corporate giant

Q: When is it sensible to use 'transmogrify' instead of 'metamorphose'?

The words transmogrify and metamorphose can be used in similar contexts, but transmogrify suggests a strange or preposterous metamorphosis. // a story in which a frog is transmogrified into a prince

Q: When would 'transmute' be a good substitute for 'metamorphose'?

The synonyms transmute and metamorphose are sometimes interchangeable, but transmute implies transforming into a higher element or thing. // attempted to transmute lead into gold

metamorphose

verb

ˌme-tə-ˈmȯr-ˌfōz

Definition of metamorphose next

as in to transform

to change in form, appearance, or use a science fiction story in which radiation metamorphoses people into giant bugs

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Some common synonyms of metamorphose are convert, transfigure, transform, transmogrify, and transmute. While all these words mean "to change a thing into a different thing," metamorphose suggests an abrupt or startling change induced by or as if by magic or a supernatural power.

awkward girls metamorphosed into graceful ballerinas

When can convert be used instead of metamorphose?

While the synonyms convert and metamorphose 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 might transfigure be a better fit than metamorphose?

While in some cases nearly identical to metamorphose, transfigure implies a change that exalts or glorifies.

joy transfigured her face

When is transform a more appropriate choice than metamorphose?

Although the words transform and metamorphose have much in common, transform implies a major change in form, nature, or function.

transformed a small company into a corporate giant

When is it sensible to use transmogrify instead of metamorphose?

The words transmogrify and metamorphose can be used in similar contexts, but transmogrify suggests a strange or preposterous metamorphosis.

a story in which a frog is transmogrified into a prince

When would transmute be a good substitute for metamorphose?

The synonyms transmute and metamorphose are sometimes interchangeable, but transmute implies transforming into a higher element or thing.

attempted to transmute lead into gold

Examples 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 metamorphose While caterpillars metamorphosing into butterflies, or tadpoles evolving into frogs, may be familiar developmental transformations, there are few instances where organisms change in ways that are not predetermined. —

Peter A Noble, Discover Magazine, 14 Sep. 2024 Inside each larva, a small urchin grows, waiting to metamorphose like a caterpillar about to turn into a butterfly. —

Lisa S. Gardiner, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Aug. 2024 Find out if my salmon sear metamorphosed me into a stainless steel cookware connoisseur, or sent me back to non-stick with my tail between my legs below. —

Alexandra Polk, refinery29.com, 7 Feb. 2024 And so the rabble-rouser metamorphosed into the Great Conciliator. —

Jonathan Tepperman, Foreign Affairs, 14 Dec. 2015 See all Example Sentences for metamorphose