pervert

1 of 2

verb

per·​vert pər-ˈvərt 

perverted; perverting; perverts

transitive verb

1

a

: to cause to turn aside or away from what is good or true or morally right : corrupt

b

: to cause to turn aside or away from what is generally done or accepted : misdirect

2

a

: to divert to a wrong end or purpose : misuse

b

: to twist the meaning or sense of : misinterpret

perverter noun

pervert

2 of 2

noun

per·​vert ˈpər-ˌvərt 

: one that has been perverted

specifically : one given to some form of sexual perversion

Synonyms

Verb

• distort
• misrepresent

Noun

• degenerate
• villain

Choose the Right Synonym for pervert

debase, vitiate, deprave, corrupt, debauch, pervert mean to cause deterioration or lowering in quality or character.

debase implies a loss of position, worth, value, or dignity.

commercialism has debased the holiday

vitiate implies a destruction of purity, validity, or effectiveness by allowing entrance of a fault or defect.

a foreign policy vitiated by partisanship

deprave implies moral deterioration by evil thoughts or influences.

the claim that society is depraved by pornography

corrupt implies loss of soundness, purity, or integrity.

the belief that bureaucratese corrupts the language

debauch implies a debasing through sensual indulgence.

the long stay on a tropical isle had debauched the ship's crew

pervert implies a twisting or distorting from what is natural or normal.

perverted the original goals of the institute

Examples of pervert in a Sentence

Verb

people who pervert their religion to support violence

They perverted the truth to help further their careers.

movies that pervert the minds of young people by glorifying violence

Noun

a pervert who, because of years of bad choices, couldn't get a job

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Andrew faces charges of obstructing a coroner in the execution of his or her duty, as well as doing an act tending and intended to pervert the course of public justice. —Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 21 Mar. 2025

In his eyes, a Jew who fails to share that outlook becomes the monster of traditional antisemitic lore: something perverted from its essential nature. —Robert Helfand, Hartford Courant, 21 May 2025

Noun

What follows is a floor-by-floor descent into madness as Bobby battles bloodthirsty perverts, demonic flash mobs, and hallucinogenic suburban nightmares, all while trying to figure out if he’s meant to be the hero… or just the last guy standing. —Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 14 July 2025

Special-guest pervert Frank (Sam Rockwell) showcases a monologue about his autogynephilia. —Armond White, National Review, 9 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French purvertir, pervertir, from Latin pervertere to overturn, corrupt, pervert, from per- thoroughly + vertere to turn — more at per-, worth

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1501, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing pervert

• pervert justice
• pervert the course of justice

Kids Definition

pervert

1 of 2 verb

per·​vert pər-ˈvərt 

1

: to cause to turn away from what is good or true or right : corrupt

2

: to put to a wrong use

3

: to give a wrong meaning to : misinterpret

pervert

2 of 2 noun

per·​vert ˈpər-ˌvərt 

: one that is perverted

especially : one given to some form of sexual perversion

Medical Definition

pervert

1 of 2 transitive verb

per·​vert pər-ˈvərt 

: to cause to engage in perversion or to become perverted

pervert

2 of 2 noun

per·​vert ˈpər-ˌvərt 

: one that has been perverted

specifically : one given to some form of sexual perversion