perverted
adjective
per·vert·ed
pər-ˈvər-təd 
1
: corrupt
2
: marked by perversion
pervertedly
adverb
pervertedness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of perverted in a Sentence
He took a perverted pleasure in watching them suffer.
the perverted values of a society that had taken permissiveness to the extreme
Recent Examples on the Web
Many critics have observed that the Mafia, in cinema, often stands in as a perverted and grotesque form of capitalism — fitting, for a form of organized crime that was world-historically successful at making the line between legitimate enterprise and criminality wafer-thin.
—
New York Times, 29 Sep. 2021
This indicates a perverted incentive structure that disadvantages the less costly version of the product.
—Joshua Cohen, Forbes, 2 Apr. 2023
The solution arrived like a perverted aha moment.
—Nick Romano, EW.com, 25 Sep. 2020
In the most perverted scene in the entire three-hour film, she — an adult woman! — straight up drinks a full glass of milk like some kind of freak … or some kind of person who role-plays as a cat.
—Vulture, 18 Apr. 2022
The colorectal specialist in Turtle Bay has a benignly perverted air.
—Cara Schacter, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2022
Of course, there is no chance of totally shutting down those who would do harm to others — especially on the high-profile stage that sports provides — in pursuit of their perverted goals.
—Paul Newberry, ajc, 2 Sep. 2022
The tension is further spiked by the return of Gallo’s Sammy, who tempts her with drugs and lays bare his perverted designs on her young daughter.
—John Semley, The New Republic, 17 Feb. 2022
People often looked at Black women's beauty as perverted or dirty.
—Jihan Forbes, Allure, 21 Jan. 2022
See More
New York Times, 29 Sep. 2021
This indicates a perverted incentive structure that disadvantages the less costly version of the product.
—Joshua Cohen, Forbes, 2 Apr. 2023
The solution arrived like a perverted aha moment.
—Nick Romano, EW.com, 25 Sep. 2020
In the most perverted scene in the entire three-hour film, she — an adult woman! — straight up drinks a full glass of milk like some kind of freak … or some kind of person who role-plays as a cat.
—Vulture, 18 Apr. 2022
The colorectal specialist in Turtle Bay has a benignly perverted air.
—Cara Schacter, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2022
Of course, there is no chance of totally shutting down those who would do harm to others — especially on the high-profile stage that sports provides — in pursuit of their perverted goals.
—Paul Newberry, ajc, 2 Sep. 2022
The tension is further spiked by the return of Gallo’s Sammy, who tempts her with drugs and lays bare his perverted designs on her young daughter.
—John Semley, The New Republic, 17 Feb. 2022
People often looked at Black women's beauty as perverted or dirty.
—Jihan Forbes, Allure, 21 Jan. 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'perverted.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of perverted was
in the 14th century
Dictionary Entries Near perverted
Cite this Entry
“Perverted.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perverted. Accessed 30 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
perverted
adjective
per·vert·ed
pər-ˈvərt-əd
: marked by perversion
Medical Definition
perverted
adjective
: marked by abnormality or perversion
perverted pancreatic function
relieve concepts or fears of perverted sexual interest—W. H. Masters & V. E. Johnson
W. H. Masters & V. E. Johnson
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