pervert 1 of 2

pervert

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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
Just when things are looking up — a haughty British couple leaves this daughter of Oxfordshire a handsome tip — the dinner pervert turns up for his morning coffee. Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 23 Mar. 2025 Outside the courthouse on Friday, Toner’s lawyer made a brief statement about his pervert client. Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 22 Mar. 2025
Verb
The rule of law has been invoked and perverted in a concerted effort to undermine it. Mark A. Cohen, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025 The only conspiracy is what Bove and Bondi are engaged in, perverting a prosecution for their political gain. New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pervert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pervert
Noun
  • Created by Rob Mac (formerly McElhenney, who also plays the character Mac), the Emmy-deserving series premiered 20 years ago on Aug. 4, 2005, introducing the world to a gang of morally bankrupt degenerates running the least successful bar in Philly, Paddy's Pub.
    James Mercadante, EW.com, 4 Aug. 2025
  • Novak: The fact that this group of degenerates, these bloodsucking, mass-murdering vampires and wannabe vampires, [could be] so lovable is amazing.
    Michael Ordoña, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • Kimmel’s September 15 monologue accused MAGA supporters of distorting the shooter’s motives, despite reports that the assailant leaned left politically.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
  • But at his recent press conference, the President stood at the dais and delivered a barrage of falsehoods that might not be obviously false to most Americans—misrepresenting evidence on autism, distorting research on vaccines, and offering a grab bag of unscientific medical opinions.
    Dr. Craig Spencer, Time, 23 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Democrats and civil libertarians said Trump corrupted the system of justice by getting involved.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Of course, what that sets up, in the game of Survivor, is someone ready to be corrupted.
    Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • There were ugly scenes at the Bethpage golf course throughout yesterday’s second day of play as European players, McIlroy in particular, were routinely heckled and abused by rowdy fans, including while standing over shots.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2025
  • The lawsuit further alleges that the airlines manipulated and abused the arrival rate system at DCA airport to force more arrivals per hour, despite knowing that doing so would reduce safety margins.
    Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • She's gone toe to toe with Marvel villains, T-rexes and Bill Murray.
    Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 27 Sep. 2025
  • Race is one of many concerns in Vineland, but One Battle After Another sets itself apart as a studio film with vividly, absurdly ugly racist villains, arguing satirically but unflinchingly that white supremacy continues to be the guiding principle for American power.
    Rory Doherty, Time, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Some scientists cited in the DOE's report have said their research was misrepresented or misused in the report.
    Connor Giffin, Louisville Courier Journal, 25 Sep. 2025
  • Carr said Monday that Democrats are distorting his comments and misrepresenting the work at the FCC.
    Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Jeanne Shaheen, said the plan outlined subverted Congress's power outlined in the Constitution, controlling how government money is spent, according to Reuters.
    Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
  • Omerzu and his team aren’t above deploying romantic backlighting for midnight kisses and some of the clichés of young-love cinema, but thankfully that’s only to subvert them as the film goes on.
    Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • That low percentage suggests that detention center staff are misusing strip searches, said Dana Flores, senior manager for youth justice in Colorado at the National Center for Youth Law.
    Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2025
  • But all of these things are used as evidence — sometimes the sole evidence — that a person misused their benefits.
    Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pervert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pervert. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

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