perversion

noun

pər-ˈvər-zhən How to pronounce perversion (audio)
Definition of perversionnext
1
as in degradation
a sinking to a state of low moral standards and behavior claimed that rap and rock music were responsible for the perversion of the nation's young people

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2
as in misuse
incorrect or improper use if there's a hidden charge for the service, then that's a perversion of the word "free"

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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 perversion More broadly, this same chain of logic turns the Voting Rights Act into a zombie law, a perversion of its intended purpose that now mostly protects white Americans from any attempts to break their disproportionate control of voting machinery. — Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 2 May 2026 The Fair Districts law is a partisan perversion walking around in a phony non-partisan trenchcoat. — Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026 Why does Gadd's storytelling about the vulnerabilities, perversions and hurts of men have to include nudity from nameless female characters? — Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2026 According to Jackson, that is a perversion of the law. — Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 26 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for perversion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perversion
  1. degradation
  2. misuse
  3. corruption
  4. abuse
Noun
  • In the small-cap space, Piper Sandler's Tenthoff likes Monte Rosa Therapeutics, a pioneer in protein degradation that selectively destroys disease-causing proteins.
    — Paulina Likos, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The degradation of Starshield is estimated to have cost Ukraine tens of millions of dollars in losses, according to an analysis by Dimko Zhluktenko, a drone pilot and analyst in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
    — Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of degradation
Noun
  • The accusations come amid broader criticism of Petro over alleged misuse of public funds, depletion of national budgets and drug trafficking.
    — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Legal liability related to the misuse of AI models is under increasing scrutiny amid capability gains from frontier systems over the past year.
    — Ashley Capoot,Jordan Novet,Annie Palmer,Lora Kolodny,Kai Nicol-Schwarz,Caleigh Keating, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of misuse
Noun
  • Democrats have targeted Paxton, who is benefiting from millions in outside spending, over corruption claims and his impeachment by the Texas Legislature, though he was later acquitted.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Even leftist lawmakers support to some of those ideas in the wake of a corruption scandal that ensnared the court.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of corruption
Noun
  • Another man decided to report to police additional abuse by Moore, who was the man’s babysitter, after speaking with Hamilton in 2010, according to court records and Hamilton’s campaign.
    — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Another 16% experienced discriminatory comments or abuse, while 10% experienced physical aggression.
    — Andrew Adam Newman, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of abuse

Browse Nearby Words

perverseness
perversion
perversions
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Cite this Entry

“Perversion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perversion. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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