Synonyms of pervert

pervert 1 of 2

noun

ˈpər-ˌvərt 

as in degenerate

a person who has sunk below the normal moral standard

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• degenerate
• villain
• rake
• perv
• playboy
• libertine
• deviate
• backslider
• debaucher
• derelict
• debauchee
• profligate
• rip
• rakehell
• delinquent
• sicko
• decadent
• scoundrel
• reprobate
• heel
• rogue
• blackguard
• knave
• lecher
• bankrupt
• cad
• satyr
• rascal
• incorrigible
• sickie
• miscreant
• playgirl

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• saint

pervert

2 of 2

verb

pər-ˈvərt 

1

as in to distort

to change so much as to create a wrong impression or alter the meaning of

that summary really perverts the other candidate's views on taxes

Synonyms & Similar Words

• distort
• misrepresent
• twist
• misinterpret
• obscure
• misstate
• falsify
• cook
• complicate
• garble
• slant
• censor
• confuse
• warp
• fudge
• misrelate
• bend
• color
• mistake
• disguise
• mask
• mistranslate
• camouflage
• lie
• dissemble
• veil
• gloss (over)
• whitewash
• misspeak
• mystify
• bowdlerize
• misdescribe
• confound
• prevaricate
• mix (up)
• equivocate
• palter
• belie
• fib

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• explain
• interpret
• clarify
• illustrate
• clear (up)
• spell out
• illuminate
• decipher

2

as in to corrupt

to lower in character, dignity, or quality

a movie that perverted the Bible story by reveling in the sinners' lewd behavior until just before the moment of divine retribution

Synonyms & Similar Words

• corrupt
• subvert
• humiliate
• degrade
• prostitute
• poison
• debauch
• deprave
• weaken
• destroy
• deteriorate
• debase
• dilute
• ruin
• disgrace
• demean
• bastardize
• dirty
• damage
• profane
• abase
• demoralize
• cheapen
• shame
• vitiate
• taint
• pollute
• warp
• humble
• lessen
• hurt
• mar
• canker
• contaminate
• harm
• impair
• defile
• thin
• wreck
• water down
• spoil
• dishonor
• flaw
• stain
• tarnish
• befoul
• begrime
• deface
• descend
• take down
• blemish
• depreciate
• downgrade

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• improve
• better
• honor
• exalt
• elevate
• uplift
• perfect
• amend
• enhance
• ennoble
• enrich
• restore
• dignify
• ameliorate
• clarify
• clean
• purify
• refine
• cleanse
• respect
• meliorate

3

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

• abuse
• misuse
• prostitute
• misapply
• profane
• corrupt
• degrade
• twist
• misemploy
• debase
• desecrate
• mismanage

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• use
• apply
• employ
• utilize
• respect

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

Recent Examples of pervert

Noun

You are being spied on by a pervert. — Jay Ruttenberg, New Yorker, 11 Feb. 2026

Then, about refocusing our attention on the challenges ahead, like pervert incentives and algorithms that aren’t in line with human flourishing. — Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 13 Jan. 2026

Verb

This quality has been perverted and exaggerated in Maddie’s Secret. — Rachel Handler, Vulture, 11 June 2026

In recent years, drag has been positioned as a cultural lightning rod as part of a right-wing political effort to paint drag artists as depraved actors out to pervert gender norms, especially for children. — David MacK, CNN Money, 10 June 2026