transmute
Change in essence
To transmute is to change something into a different form, substance, or nature—especially a fundamental transformation rather than a superficial one.
The word carries echoes of alchemy, where practitioners sought to transmute base metals into gold.
In modern use, it often describes converting something negative into something valuable: She transmuted her grief into art.
Scientists transmute elements through nuclear reactions.
Profound biological restructuring
- transfigurationExalted change in appearance
- transmogrifyChange form grotesquely
- convertChange in form or faith
- alterMake a modification
reshape · change · morph · reconfigure · reconstitute · shift · remake · recast
Legendary substance enabling transmutation
- elixir of lifeLegendary immortality concoction
- magnum opusCreator's supreme achievement
- alembicDistillation apparatus
- crucibleVessel for extreme heat
quintessence · hermeticism · homunculus · alchemical · mercury · sulfur · salt · occultism
Profound biological restructuring
- chrysalisPupal casing for metamorphosis
- caterpillarMoth or butterfly young
- butterflyWinged insect from caterpillar
- pupaInsect's resting stage
larva · morphogenesis · development · life cycle · molt · cocoon · tadpole · regeneration
Spiritual or physical regeneration
- reincarnationSoul's rebirth after death
- transcendenceSurpassing usual limits
- enlightenmentProfound spiritual awakening
- ascensionMovement to higher position
purification · apotheosis · sublimation · transubstantiation · kundalini · nirvana · samsara · moksha
metamorphosis
Profound biological restructuring
- transfigurationExalted change in appearance
- transmogrifyChange form grotesquely
- convertChange in form or faith
alter · reshape · change · morph · reconfigure · reconstitute · shift · remake · recast · rework
philosopher's stone
Legendary substance enabling transmutation
- elixir of lifeLegendary immortality concoction
- magnum opusCreator's supreme achievement
- alembicDistillation apparatus
crucible · quintessence · hermeticism · homunculus · alchemical · mercury · sulfur · salt · occultism · esoteric
metamorphosis
Profound biological restructuring
- chrysalisPupal casing for metamorphosis
- caterpillarMoth or butterfly young
- butterflyWinged insect from caterpillar
pupa · larva · morphogenesis · development · life cycle · molt · cocoon · tadpole · regeneration · cellular
rebirth
Spiritual or physical regeneration
- reincarnationSoul's rebirth after death
- transcendenceSurpassing usual limits
- enlightenmentProfound spiritual awakening
ascension · purification · apotheosis · sublimation · transubstantiation · kundalini · nirvana · samsara · moksha · transformation
radioactive
Emitting nuclear decay particles
uranium · plutonium · fission · fusion · particle · neutron · proton · atom · reactor · radiation
- change verbschange, alter, modify, convert, morph
- spellsspell, cast, conjure, curse, enchantment
- transformation wordsturn into, convert, morph, alter, modify
- magic wordsabracadabra, alakazam, hocus pocus, presto, open sesame
transmutation, transmuted, transmutable, transmuting, transmutes, transmutations