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

At the same time, her husband, assumed to be dead, returns home from the war with his face disfigured.

From New York Times

Best feature went to A Different Man, a thought-provoking movie about a man who has a disfiguring facial condition and drastically changes his appearance.

From BBC

But because he lacked a majority, his budget was then disfigured by opposition amendments - from both left and populist right - which removed taxes and introduced more spending, thus changing its essential nature.

From BBC

Newspaper reporters flocked to Dumfries and Galloway after dismembered and disfigured human remains were discovered beneath a bridge over a stream.

From BBC

Videos of a beautician performing surgical procedure liposuction in a beauty salon have been shared with the BBC after several women complained they were left injured and disfigured by the treatment.

From BBC

Related Words

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