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
  • The low cost and easy availability of all the necessary components means that drones can mutate fast, and any evolutionary successes – like fiber drones, which went from nothing to battle-winners in a year – may spread rapidly.
    David Hambling, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • Wen: The SARS-CoV-2 virus is constantly mutating, and it’s entirely expected that there will be new variants.
    Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • Slight temperature changes can deform the mirror, causing the image to blur, but 232 actuators behind the mirrors help to nudge everything back into focus.
    IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 23 June 2025
  • The pair venture deep into the tunnel, where they're suddenly attacked by a naked and deformed woman who kills Keith.
    Randall Colburn, EW.com, 1 June 2025
Verb
  • Many tomato problems, especially when a crop is disfigured, cracked, or infected by fungus, may be traced to irregular soil moisture.
    Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 30 May 2025
  • Even some who survive might be left paralyzed or disfigured.
    Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The British came to Gotham City and redefined the Dark Knight for a new generation of Bat-fans.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 July 2025
  • The Bottom Line In my view, private equity is redefining what a moat looks like: systems where customers stay longer, spend more and attract others.
    Humphrey Ho, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • Anyone claiming otherwise is distorting the truth to justify and reward discriminatory behavior.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 10 July 2025
  • European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen accused China of distorting trade and limiting access for European firms two weeks ahead of a summit between the economic powers.
    Sydney Lake, Fortune, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • Supporters said the Orlando Torah Center needs more space to add amenities and services than provided by the three-bedroom, two-bath home on Banyan Boulevard the congregation acquired in 2015 for $184,000 and refashioned into its worship center.
    Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 July 2025
  • In the foreground, the building under construction in 1999 is now set to be refashioned into Dolly Parton's SongTeller Hotel.
    Liz Schubauer, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Verb
  • It was redesigned in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy to serve as a space for outdoor ceremonies.
    Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025
  • The Fantasyland and Tomorrowland Autopia tracks were combined in 2000 and the cars were redesigned.
    Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • First, funding for small nuclear reactors (SMR) will be revised.
    Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • Transcript text may be revised to correct errors or match updates to audio.
    Steve Inskeep, NPR, 14 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Transmogrify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/transmogrify. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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