metamorphoses
Dramatic form shifts
Metamorphoses is the plural of metamorphosis—a transformation, especially a dramatic change in form or nature.
A caterpillar's metamorphosis into a butterfly is the classic example.
The word also describes profound personal or organizational changes: The company underwent several metamorphoses before finding its identity.
The verb form (to metamorphose) conjugates as she metamorphoses, meaning she transforms. (Capitalized Metamorphoses is Ovid's poem.)
To make different
- evolutionSpecies changing over generations
- mutationPermanent DNA alteration
- transmutationComplete change of form
- transfigurationExalted change in appearance
shape-shifting · chrysalis · butterfly · caterpillar · cocoon · tadpole · larva · pupa
change
To make different
- evolutionSpecies changing over generations
- mutationPermanent DNA alteration
- transmutationComplete change of form
transfiguration · shape-shifting · chrysalis · butterfly · caterpillar · cocoon · tadpole · larva · pupa · lifecycle
- transformationchange, shape-shifting, shapeshifting, transmutation, transfiguration
metamorphosesstagnates
Ceases movement or progress
persists · endures · stasis · permanence · fixity
metamorphosestweaks
Minor modifications
fine-tunes · tinkers · refines · modifications · adjustments
metamorphosesdegenerates
Worsens over time
regresses · devolves · decays · deteriorates · atrophies
- The MetamorphosisNovella about human-to-insect change
metamorphosis, metamorphose, metamorphosed, metamorphosing, metamorphosizes