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
  • During the fall of 2019, in a lab in Wuhan, China, a cluster of atoms weighing less than one-trillionth of a gram mutated ever so slightly, cascading into the greatest disruption to human life in over a century.
    Robert B. Tucker, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
  • The events mutated into a leaderless harassment campaign known as Gamergate, eventually moving from 4chan to more mainstream social media platforms.
    Harmeet Kaur, CNN, 23 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Researchers have developed a Particle-armored liquid robot (PB), a liquid-particle composite capable of deforming, engulfing, and merging without losing its structure.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 21 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
  • Mathematicians are deciphered, disfigured, discounted, and dissolved.
    Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Electrocution appears to burn and disfigure.
    CBS News, CBS News, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • In The Age of AI, Henry Kissinger argued that AI will redefine the balance of global power, influencing economic structures and diplomatic strategies.
    Mirjana Perkovic, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
  • Founded on the principle of redefining cost-effective transportation, Slate aims to beat Tesla to the punch with an inexpensive compact electric vehicle for the everyman.
    Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Although some in the media distort the anger directed at Rowling from trans activists, trans people, and allies, the truth is those feelings — not just anger, but betrayal and grief — are justified.
    Aja Romano, Vox, 18 Apr. 2025
  • What once kept us safe can now distort intimacy, create misunderstandings and erode trust.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Ever since Mangione allegedly gunned down Thompson in a December dawn ambush in New York, the 26-year-old was refashioned into a modern-day hero by those angry with health care in America, and the health insurance industry in particular.
    Boston Herald editorial staff, Boston Herald, 2 Apr. 2025
  • While Walmart refashioned the Vine City location into a Neighborhood Market and reopened it last year, the Howell Mill store closure was permanent.
    Kristal Dixon, Axios, 17 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • In an interview with The New York Times, Sanchez explained her involvement in redesigning the space suit.
    Elizabeth Stanton, FOXNews.com, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Aurora is moving forward with plans to redesign downtown’s Millennium Plaza to be more functional for everyday recreational activities but still accommodate small performances.
    R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Corporate boardrooms and executive teams will need to traverse this new landscape, by weighing the risks of maintaining their DEI teams and initiatives against the potential fallout of revising their DEI policies—or abandoning their efforts completely.
    Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 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 23 Apr. 2025.

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