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
  • For example, a leading goal of the response now is to bring down egg prices, rather than tackling the spread of the virus or preparing for a worst-case scenario in which the virus mutates and spreads easily from person to person.
    Brenda Goodman, CNN, 17 Mar. 2025
  • When the virus strikes down a cinema filled with moviegoers, Daniels and Keough realize the virus has mutated and become airborne.
    Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 14 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Based on analysis of satellite measurements, the collision deformed sedimentary and volcanic rock layers as far as 6.2 miles to the north and south of the impact crater, while leaving the east and west relatively unscathed.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
  • The elements were slowly crushing the base as the gradual movement of the ice sheet deformed the structures.
    Katie Hunt, CNN, 15 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Dirt lots still disfigure Fairview Avenue and Main Street.
    Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Benedict Chiu, United States, 2023 A member of a famous K-Pop boy band whose face has been disfigured by an accident must undergo surgery to repair his fracturing image.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 6 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The advent of generative AI and large language models is redefining what is possible in this field.
    Rob Toews, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Designers are pushing boundaries and redefining what’s considered classic, leaning into fresh silhouettes, tactile textures, and bold statements that make footwear feel like the main event rather than just an outfit’s finishing touch.
    Laura Lajiness Kaupke, refinery29.com, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Trump portrait removed from Colorado Capitol after president called it 'distorted' Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY.
    Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2025
  • And Washington demanded that the Chinese government stop subsidizing the production and export of goods, which distorted the global marketplace.
    Michael B. G. Froman, Foreign Affairs, 25 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • In the past decade, as that constituency moved right, Abbott refashioned himself as a conservative crusader and a culture warrior.
    Jonathan Blitzer, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
  • 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
Verb
  • California recently engaged a Danish architecture firm to redesign the notorious San Quentin facility near San Francisco.
    ByJennifer Couzin-Frankel, science.org, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Champions for female leaders in business say those steps need to include developing pathways to retain women leaders, redesigning work environments for some flexibility, and recognizing that fathers are caregivers as well.
    Cassidy Randall, TIME, 14 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Goldman Sachs this week revised its year-end target for gold prices to $3,300, up from $3,100, underscoring how the yellow metal’s rise this year is expected to last amid economic and geopolitical uncertainty.
    John Towfighi, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2025
  • If elected, Valencia said her goals are to work to revise the budget, making communication seamless and providing more staff for mental health services.
    David Sharos, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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