metamorphose
Undergo dramatic change
Metamorphose means to undergo or cause a complete transformation.
The word applies literally to biological change—a caterpillar metamorphoses into a butterfly, a tadpole into a frog.
Figuratively, anything that transforms dramatically metamorphoses: The quiet town metamorphosed into a bustling city.
The noun form is metamorphosis.
Change completely in form
- transmuteChange in fundamental nature
- transfigureChange appearance dramatically
- convertChange in form or faith
- alterMake a modification
modify · reshape · transition · shift · evolve · mutate · transmogrify · reconfigure
Pupal casing for metamorphosis
- cocoonSilk wrapping for transformation
- caterpillarMoth or butterfly young
- larvaImmature feeding stage
- pupaInsect's resting stage
imago · molt · instar · tadpole · froglet · nymph · emergence · life cycle
Hereditary supreme ruler
- swallowtailButterfly with forked hindwings
- lepidopteraButterfly and moth order
- caterpillarMoth or butterfly young
- chrysalisPupal casing for metamorphosis
cocoon · emergence · wingspan · antennae · proboscis · nectar · pollination · migration
Transforming into other beings
- OvidAncient Roman poet
- DaphneNymph turned laurel
- NarcissusMyth's vain, doomed beauty
- ArachneWeaver transformed into spider
Zeus · Proteus · werewolf · selkie · kitsune · skinwalker · Circe · swan maiden
Fitting to new conditions
- natural selectionDifferential reproductive success
- speciationFormation of distinct species
- mutationPermanent DNA alteration
- DarwinismNatural selection theory
phylogeny · divergence · variation · fitness · survival · genetics · phenotype · genotype
Process of becoming complete
- developmentProgress toward maturity
- flourishingProspering vigorously
- bloomingProducing flowers now
- ripeningBecoming ready to eat
budding · germination · sprouting · coming of age · blossoming · unfolding · progression · cultivation
Complete change of form
- philosopher's stoneLegendary substance enabling transmutation
- base metalsNon-precious metallic elements
- elixirMythical healing draught
- magnum opusCreator's supreme achievement
lead into gold · quintessence · hermeticism · alchemical · crucible · alembic · transformation
transform
Change completely in form
- transmuteChange in fundamental nature
- transfigureChange appearance dramatically
- convertChange in form or faith
alter · modify · reshape · transition · shift · evolve · mutate · transmogrify · reconfigure · undergo
chrysalis
Pupal casing for metamorphosis
- cocoonSilk wrapping for transformation
- caterpillarMoth or butterfly young
- larvaImmature feeding stage
pupa · imago · molt · instar · tadpole · froglet · nymph · emergence · life cycle · pupation
monarch
Hereditary supreme ruler
- swallowtailButterfly with forked hindwings
- lepidopteraButterfly and moth order
- caterpillarMoth or butterfly young
chrysalis · cocoon · emergence · wingspan · antennae · proboscis · nectar · pollination · migration · silk
shapeshifting
Transforming into other beings
Arachne · Zeus · Proteus · werewolf · selkie · kitsune · skinwalker · Circe · swan maiden · Kafkaesque
adaptation
Fitting to new conditions
- natural selectionDifferential reproductive success
- speciationFormation of distinct species
- mutationPermanent DNA alteration
Darwinism · phylogeny · divergence · variation · fitness · survival · genetics · phenotype · genotype · evolutionary
maturation
Process of becoming complete
- developmentProgress toward maturity
- flourishingProspering vigorously
- bloomingProducing flowers now
ripening · budding · germination · sprouting · coming of age · blossoming · unfolding · progression · cultivation · nurturing
transmutation
Complete change of form
- philosopher's stoneLegendary substance enabling transmutation
- base metalsNon-precious metallic elements
- elixirMythical healing draught
lead into gold · magnum opus · quintessence · hermeticism · alchemical · crucible · alembic · transformation
metamorphosestagnate
Cease to develop
persist · stabilize · endure · hold steady · freeze
metamorphoseregress
Revert to earlier state
revert · devolve · deteriorate · degenerate · atrophy
- The MetamorphosisNovella about human-to-insect change
metamorphosis, metamorphosed, metamorphosing, metamorphoses, metamorphosizes