disfigure

[ dis-fig-yer; British dis-fig-er ]

verb (used with object)

, dis·fig·ured, dis·fig·ur·ing.

1. to mar the appearance or beauty of; deform; deface:

   Our old towns are increasingly disfigured by tasteless new buildings.

   Synonyms: blemish, spoil

   Antonyms: beautify

2. to mar the effect or excellence of:

   His reputation was disfigured by instances of political favoritism.

disfigure

/ dɪsˈfɪɡə /

verb

1. to spoil the appearance or shape of; deface
2. to mar the effect or quality of

Derived Forms

• disˈfigurer, noun

Other Words From

• dis·figur·er noun
• undis·figured adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of disfigure¹

1325–75; Middle English disfiguren < Anglo-French, Old French desfigurer, equivalent to des- dis- ¹ + -figurer, verbal derivative of figure figure

Synonym Study

See mar.

Example Sentences

Wearing headphones is great for drowning out the unending refrain of honking horns and lewd remarks, but it jeopardizes my being able to hear if someone is sneaking up behind me, poised to disfigure my skull, the way Laken Riley’s was.

From Salon

Osborne cut her face 26 times in an effort to disfigure as well as kill her, the court was told.

From BBC

The "significant" blows were struck to "not just kill her, but to disfigure her face," he tells Leeds Crown Court.

From BBC

Repeated removal of the tendrils is needed, too, so they don’t disfigure the flowers or stems.

From Seattle Times

He practiced the stunt five times at home, he said, and was convinced it would not disfigure the painting.

From New York Times

Related Words

• deform
• distort
• maim
• mangle
• mar
• mutilate
• scar