Thesaurus results for METAMORPHOSE

Q: How is the word 'metamorphose' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of metamorphose are convert , transfigure , transform , transmogrify , and transmute . While all these words mean "to change a thing into a different thing," metamorphose suggests an abrupt or startling change induced by or as if by magic or a supernatural power. // awkward girls metamorphosed into graceful ballerinas

Q: When can 'convert' be used instead of 'metamorphose'?

While the synonyms convert and metamorphose are close in meaning, convert implies a change fitting something for a new or different use or function. // converted the study into a nursery

Q: When might 'transfigure' be a better fit than 'metamorphose'?

While in some cases nearly identical to metamorphose , transfigure implies a change that exalts or glorifies. // joy transfigured her face

Q: When is 'transform' a more appropriate choice than 'metamorphose'?

Although the words transform and metamorphose have much in common, transform implies a major change in form, nature, or function. // transformed a small company into a corporate giant

Q: When is it sensible to use 'transmogrify' instead of 'metamorphose'?

The words transmogrify and metamorphose can be used in similar contexts, but transmogrify suggests a strange or preposterous metamorphosis. // a story in which a frog is transmogrified into a prince

Q: When would 'transmute' be a good substitute for 'metamorphose'?

The synonyms transmute and metamorphose are sometimes interchangeable, but transmute implies transforming into a higher element or thing. // attempted to transmute lead into gold

metamorphose

verb

ˌme-tə-ˈmȯr-ˌfōz

Definition of metamorphose

as in to transform

to change in form, appearance, or use a science fiction story in which radiation metamorphoses people into giant bugs

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word metamorphose different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of metamorphose are convert, transfigure, transform, transmogrify, and transmute. While all these words mean "to change a thing into a different thing," metamorphose suggests an abrupt or startling change induced by or as if by magic or a supernatural power.

awkward girls metamorphosed into graceful ballerinas

When can convert be used instead of metamorphose?

While the synonyms convert and metamorphose 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 might transfigure be a better fit than metamorphose?

While in some cases nearly identical to metamorphose, transfigure implies a change that exalts or glorifies.

joy transfigured her face

When is transform a more appropriate choice than metamorphose?

Although the words transform and metamorphose have much in common, transform implies a major change in form, nature, or function.

transformed a small company into a corporate giant

When is it sensible to use transmogrify instead of metamorphose?

The words transmogrify and metamorphose can be used in similar contexts, but transmogrify suggests a strange or preposterous metamorphosis.

a story in which a frog is transmogrified into a prince

When would transmute be a good substitute for metamorphose?

The synonyms transmute and metamorphose are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 metamorphose This office has been metamorphosing over time. — Mishal Husain, Bloomberg, 13 Mar. 2026 The show that began as a bottom-up look at the cutthroat world of finance has metamorphosed into something more dismal. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 12 Jan. 2026 My 2026 wish for New Yorkers is for Zohran Mamdani to metamorphose into another Mike Bloomberg rather than an embarrassment like Eric Adams. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 2 Jan. 2026 The Tale of Genji ’s early chapters are rooted in fairy-tale monogatari, but the book soon metamorphoses into its own strange thing, a courtly romance that follows Prince Genji over his half century of life, and then, after Genji’s death, takes up the lives of the next generation. — Lauren Groff, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for metamorphose

Recent Examples of Synonyms for metamorphose

Verb

At Gucci, the iconic Horsebit takes center stage across bags, belts and shoes, transforming timeless house codes into powerful statement accessories.

— Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Rather than simply copying that, but with a slab of batteries under the cabin, the Fiat Multiplay explores the idea of a vehicle that’s adaptable, transforming from a three-row people carrier to a pickup.

— Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of transform

Verb

That means the Heat will need to choose whether to convert one of its Exhibit 10 contract players to a two-way deal or waive them to transition them to its G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
Swiss company Metafuels is working to convert clean electricity into jet fuel, while RIFT and Enerin, based in the Netherlands and Norway respectively, are delivering high-temperature industrial heat from electrons instead of gas.

— Sophie Dembinski, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of convert

Browse Nearby Words

metallic

metamorphose

metamorphosed

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Cite this Entry

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“Metamorphose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/metamorphose. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of metamorphose

verb

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