malformed

[ mal-fawrmd ]

adjective

1. faultily or anomalously formed.

   Synonyms: contorted, distorted, deformed, misshapen

Word History and Origins

Origin of malformed¹

First recorded in 1810–20; mal- + formed ( def )

Example Sentences

It’s not fluent, it’s broken, the sounds are malformed, if you like.

From Los Angeles Times

"We found four more intervals with high levels of Hg concentrations and high numbers of malformed spores in the 1.3 to 2 million years following the extinction interval," explains Remco Bos.

From Science Daily

The cells themselves become malformed, causing episodes of extreme pain.

From New York Times

His death in August 2022 was due to a malformed blood vessel in his brain.

From Seattle Times

Many scientists attribute the malformed creatures and declines in certain fish populations to five enormous open-pit coal mines that interrupt this wild landscape of dense forest flush with grizzly bears and wolves.

From New York Times