pervert 1 of 2

Definition of pervertnext

pervert

2 of 2

verb

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as in to abuse
to put to a bad or improper use accused of perverting the Internal Revenue Service by using it to harass political opponents

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word pervert different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of pervert are corrupt, debase, debauch, deprave, and vitiate. While all these words mean "to cause deterioration or lowering in quality or character," pervert implies a twisting or distorting from what is natural or normal.

perverted the original goals of the institute

Where would corrupt be a reasonable alternative to pervert?

While the synonyms corrupt and pervert are close in meaning, corrupt implies loss of soundness, purity, or integrity.

the belief that bureaucratese corrupts the language

When might debase be a better fit than pervert?

The words debase and pervert can be used in similar contexts, but debase implies a loss of position, worth, value, or dignity.

commercialism has debased the holiday

When is debauch a more appropriate choice than pervert?

The meanings of debauch and pervert largely overlap; however, debauch implies a debasing through sensual indulgence.

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

When would deprave be a good substitute for pervert?

While in some cases nearly identical to pervert, deprave implies moral deterioration by evil thoughts or influences.

the claim that society is depraved by pornography

In what contexts can vitiate take the place of pervert?

The words vitiate and pervert are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, vitiate implies a destruction of purity, validity, or effectiveness by allowing entrance of a fault or defect.

a foreign policy vitiated by partisanship

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pervert
Noun
Tarpley Hitt: Postwar miscreants, several perverts (value-neutral), corporate consolidation, lawsuits, copyright law, knockoffs/fakes, America, lying, dolls. Literary Hub, 9 Dec. 2025 The Gooneral’s attendees didn’t care that Malone was, from all available evidence, not a gooner at all but rather an unaffiliated, lone-wolf pervert. Daniel Kolitz, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
He was also found guilty of perverting the court of justice. Stylecaster Editors, StyleCaster, 27 Mar. 2026 The Constitution has been perverted in ways by administrations on both sides of the aisle to facilitate military action. Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 6 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pervert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pervert
Noun
  • Especially compared to the degenerates and felons all around him in the Mets clubhouse.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Apr. 2026
  • The product exploded, generating trillions and minting a new class of crypto degenerates who were willing to take massive risks that, occasionally, resulted in millions.
    Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 17 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Both are used to distort drone and missile guidance systems.
    The Week UK, TheWeek, 13 May 2026
  • These developments do not rise to a level where AI can be said to be distorting the economy.
    Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2026
Verb
  • At first, the gorgeous ripe berries are evidence of how perfect our planet can be, corrupted only by the selfish impulses of a human race that’s largely uninterested in caring for anything on it when there isn’t a profit to be made.
    Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 18 May 2026
  • An independent redistricting commission — transparent, balanced and insulated from the very political pressures that have corrupted this process.
    Daryl Campbell, Sun Sentinel, 6 May 2026
Verb
  • My greatest wish is that this ruling sets a precedent for the Treasury and serves the thousands of ordinary citizens who are abused and crushed every day by a system that presumes their guilt and forces them to prove their innocence at the cost of economic and emotional ruin.
    Jem Aswad, Variety, 18 May 2026
  • The 68-year-old pharmacist has targeted a House ethics investigation into whether Collins abused taxpayer funds by hiring the girlfriend of his former chief of staff — now his campaign adviser — for work that the woman allegedly did not perform.
    ABC News, ABC News, 18 May 2026
Noun
  • Was that a conscious decision after the controversy surrounding past tweets that made some people see you as a villain during the Emilia Pérez Oscar campaign?
    Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
  • Angel Reese has never had a problem embracing the villain role.
    Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 May 2026
Verb
  • For example, Maryland’s Consumer Protection Act prohibits unfair or deceptive trade practices, including failing to honor refund promises or misrepresenting return procedures.
    Christopher Elliott, Mercury News, 8 May 2026
  • Those who intentionally concealed their criminal histories or misrepresented themselves during the naturalization process will face the fullest extent of the law.
    Laura Romero, ABC News, 8 May 2026
Verb
  • The post-screening art projects are also a way to subvert some of the effects of artificial intelligence, which can too easily short-circuit the idea that one’s own imagination has the potential to be expansive and worthwhile.
    Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026
  • This harmless, doll-like look juxtaposed with the anger running through their punk discographies and unruly performances was meant to subvert the expectations of women as docile objects in the patriarchy.
    Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 12 May 2026
Verb
  • The tool did not fail, and engineers did not misuse it.
    Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
  • And parents and caregivers may not be aware that these items are being misused in this way.
    Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 15 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pervert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pervert. Accessed 19 May. 2026.

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