PERVERT Synonyms: 162 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

pervert 1 of 2

noun

ˈpər-ˌvərt

Definition of pervert

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

saint

pervert

2 of 2

verb

pər-ˈvərt

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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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

There follows a leafletting campaign, accusing him of being a pervert and a danger to children. — Damon Wise, Deadline, 6 July 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

The trial collapsed after the journalist was found to have tampered with evidence (he was later convicted of perverting the course of justice). — K.j. Yossman, Variety, 23 June 2026 An English police officer faces a criminal investigation for allegedly using AI to create evidential material, a UK first that Derbyshire Constabulary calls perverting the course of justice. — Lars Daniel, Forbes.com, 15 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for pervert

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pervert

Noun

All the characters in ‘The Pineapple’ are degenerates, and this show invites you to become one as well.

— Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
Takeshita came across a vaunted screwdriver in the ring as Don Callis hypocritically called him a degenerate.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of degenerate

Verb

However, attaching a metal wire directly to the delicate plasma filament would distort its structure.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 22 Oct. 2026
Americans may disagree on solutions, but many share the belief that financial incentives have distorted the system beyond recognition.

— Scott Levenson, New York Daily News, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of distort

Verb

The original 1971 experiment was conducted by psychology professor Philip Zimbardo, who arbitrarily split volunteers into two groups—inmates and guards—and observed how power corrupted them.

— K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026
Rousseau argued that societies were happiest before agriculture and metal production corrupted them.

— Saar Shahar, The Conversation, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of corrupt

Verb

After teenage boys first reported that they had been abused in 2005, Church of the Resurrection conducted an internal investigation that court records show was inconclusive.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026
Acton’s campaign on Tuesday posted a video of her brother, who supported her backstory about living in a tent and being abused.

— Julie Carr Smyth, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of abuse

Noun

Still, this villain’s origin story works better as a showcase for effects than anything tragic.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Directed by Grammy Award-winning filmmaker James Mackel, the visual is three-and-a-half minutes of spy stuff, our hero, dressed to impress, making short work of the many villains who lurk in her hotel.

— Lars Brandle, Billboard, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of villain

Verb

The Grace twist exists solely as a way to subvert the expectations of viewers who have seen the first movie.

— Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026
David Radcliff’s work crosses genres and formats, but his favorite projects are those that broaden understanding and empathy through humor and subverted expectations.

— Katie Campione, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of subvert

Verb

Someone could be accessing an existing financial account or misusing personal information without causing any immediate change to that score.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Slotkin has defended her comments as a call for accountability for people who misuse taxpayer money or break the law.

— Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of misuse

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perversive

pervert

perverted

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Cite this Entry

Style

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

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