transmogrify

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of transmogrify are convert, metamorphose, transfigure, transform, and transmute. While all these words mean "to change a thing into a different thing," transmogrify suggests a strange or preposterous metamorphosis.

a story in which a frog is transmogrified into a prince

When is convert a more appropriate choice than transmogrify?

While the synonyms convert and transmogrify 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 is it sensible to use metamorphose instead of transmogrify?

The meanings of metamorphose and transmogrify largely overlap; however, metamorphose suggests an abrupt or startling change induced by or as if by magic or a supernatural power.

awkward girls metamorphosed into graceful ballerinas

In what contexts can transfigure take the place of transmogrify?

The synonyms transfigure and transmogrify are sometimes interchangeable, but transfigure implies a change that exalts or glorifies.

joy transfigured her face

When can transform be used instead of transmogrify?

While in some cases nearly identical to transmogrify, transform implies a major change in form, nature, or function.

transformed a small company into a corporate giant

When might transmute be a better fit than transmogrify?

In some situations, the words transmute and transmogrify are roughly equivalent. However, transmute implies transforming into a higher element or thing.

attempted to transmute lead into gold

Example 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 transmogrify In that freedom, hip-hop music transmogrified from songs to studies. Keith Nelson, Men's Health, 12 Apr. 2023 In the 1980s and 1990s this transmogrified into an attack on science. Naomi Oreskes, Scientific American, 1 July 2020 After 40 years of getting worked over, Mercury would be transmogrified, or almost magically altered, and totally kaput. Adam Hadhazy, Popular Mechanics, 7 Mar. 2023 Or change its identity or transmogrify into a different social function of a space. Erik Morse, Vogue, 31 Jan. 2023 For those looking to dig deeper, here are the best books that deconstruct, analyze, and even transmogrify the star known as Marilyn Monroe. Nathan Smith, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2022 Cady seduces like a snake, charming his victims into their demise, but can as quickly transmogrify into a deranged beast striking fear into the Bowden family during a torrential storm. Lea Anderson, Men's Health, 29 Aug. 2022 For most basketball fans, that joy will transmogrify into disappointment, sadness or even fleeting anger once their favorite team is eliminated. Paul Eisenberg, chicagotribune.com, 21 Mar. 2021 Christians have been borrowing from other religions since the days when the pagan feast of Saturnalia transmogrified into Christmas and the Gaelic festival of Samhain became All Saints’ Day. The Economist, 24 Oct. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for transmogrify
Verb
  • So scientists had to develop new monoclonal antibody treatments quickly to try and keep up with the mutating virus.
    Katherine Hignett, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025
  • When these genes mutate, they are then called oncogenes.
    Lindsay Curtis, Health, 14 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The batteries were also tested at temperatures as high as 200 degrees Celsius; the output voltage was nearly the same in spite of the heat, and the battery didn’t expand or deform excessively.
    IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 5 Feb. 2025
  • Another expression emerged from everyday objects, which inspired Lynch to deform the mundane into a hellish din.
    Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • These diseases can disfigure the leaves and the fruit, reduce the yield, and weaken or kill the tree over time.
    Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2025
  • While there, medical professionals determined the girl’s burn wounds were seven to 10 days old, and some were more than two weeks old and had converted from second- to third-degree burns, leaving the toddler permanently disfigured, officials said.
    Brooke Baitinger, Sacramento Bee, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • While streaming continues to grow and dominate the market, traditional models of film production and distribution are being redefined.
    Jamie Lang, Variety, 16 Feb. 2025
  • As the technology continues to evolve, the world will be watching closely to see how these advanced robots will transform various sectors and potentially redefine human-machine interaction.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 14 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Thereafter, the appearance of a triangle will become increasingly distorted until finally on April 9, Mars, Pollux and Castor will again appear in a straight line.
    Joe Rao, Space.com, 17 Feb. 2025
  • In that way, uncertainty is like a tax, distorting decisions and making the economy as a whole less efficient.
    Ben Casselman, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • As a demonstration that politics have been refashioned as show business, the Democratic National Convention was beyond compare.
    Andrew Cockburn, Harper's Magazine, 5 Sep. 2024
  • But the idea of an imperial America taking over a piece of Palestinian homeland – with American boots on the ground if necessary – and refashioning it into a glitzy Mediterranean playground is eye-popping.
    Howard LaFranchi, The Christian Science Monitor, 5 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Goodbye, Bubble Sort; Hello, AI Whisperer Second, redesign technical assessments to evaluate candidates' ability to leverage AI tools effectively.
    Arie Abramovici, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Others wondered if the woman could find a compromise and consider having the ring reset or redesigned.
    Erin Clack, People.com, 26 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The ambitious plan to update and revise Dungeons and Dragons is complete.
    Rob Wieland, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
  • Our operations manager hasn’t revised our production targets despite the recent force reduction.
    Johnny C. Taylor Jr., USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Transmogrify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/transmogrify. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.

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