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
The days of pandering to perverts and woke PFCs are over. Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 16 Feb. 2025 Another of the girls called Essex a pervert, which prompted their mother to ask more questions. Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024
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 Yet perverting that good news story into some tawdry political gain cheapens SpaceX, NASA, and Wilmore and Williams. Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 18 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pervert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pervert
Noun
  • 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
  • Those who hold advanced degrees in mathematics and analytics, or your favorite degenerate gambler, know any piece of datum is only reliant on the trove of data that occurred previously.
    Bill Speros, Boston Herald, 7 May 2025
Verb
  • Anyone claiming otherwise is distorting the truth to justify and reward discriminatory behavior.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 10 July 2025
  • But so have the forces pushing patients toward compounding in the first place: brand drugs priced out of reach, limited insurance coverage, and middlemen who distort access.
    Sindhya Valloppillil, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • Some have been corrupted by money and power, betraying each other as readily as the criminals do.
    Joan MacDonald, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
  • Parliament has been corrupted by agents of a genocidal foreign power.
    Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • Overstreet received a $2,700 check from the Ocala Police Department for his nonprofit in 2022, during the same timeframe when he was accused of abusing the teen girl, records show.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 14 July 2025
  • Under our nation's laws, our government has the authority to revoke your green card if our laws are broken and abused.
    Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 July 2025
Noun
  • Serial killers with a code, far-future space operas, superheroes doing battle with dastardly villains.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
  • Matthias Schoenaerts signed on as the film's villain, Krem of the Yellow Hills, in September 2024, per Deadline, and a few months later, Jason Momoa confirmed his casting as the violent intergalactic bounty hunter, Lobo.
    Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • Republican lawmakers have largely rallied around Trump, accusing Democrats of misrepresenting the legislation.
    Zac Anderson, USA Today, 2 July 2025
  • The claims misrepresent both the nature and scale of violence affecting white farmers.
    Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • On the flip side, some influencers have posted images of them wearing Skims' retro girdle as a sole outfit, subverting the 1950s connotation of undergarments as visible only to one's husband, said Einav Rabinovitch-Fox, professor of gender at Case Western Reserve University.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 10 July 2025
  • Alex managed to bypass Charlie’s detection by training herself to swallow all her natural impulses when lying, subverting the template of the show and what fans have come to expect.
    Matt Minton, Variety, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • Karlovy Vary is famous for not being precious about its honorary awards; each year’s trailer features a previous winner trash-talking, misusing or even destroying the event’s distinctive Crystal Globe statuette.
    Damon Wise, Deadline, 5 July 2025
  • Fireworks are beautiful to watch, but can be deadly if misused.
    John Tufts, IndyStar, 3 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Pervert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pervert. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

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