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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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

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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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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

While there are men who have been affected — George Brett Olson has been one vocal example — the majority affected seem to be women, whose likenesses are often exaggerated or distorted for the purposes of sexualization.

— Matt Grobar, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
The carbon molecules then distort the star’s light so much that almost all of it is squeezed into wavelengths beyond 600 nanometres.

— Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of distort

Verb

Rousseau argued that societies were happiest before agriculture and metal production corrupted them.

— Saar Shahar, The Conversation, 12 Oct. 2026
Documentarian Alex Gibney is no stranger to dissections of corrupting power — from his feature dives into Enron, Elizabeth Holmes and Scientology.

— Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of corrupt

Verb

The charges come with additional special allegations, around the victim’s vulnerability and that Tapia abused a trustworthy position.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
Early American corporate charters, after all, were granted for limited public purposes and could be revoked when abused.

— Christopher Marquis, Time, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of abuse

Noun

Rival fans were quick to jump all over this fact, given that both the Panthers and the Tkachuk brothers were seen as polarizing villains throughout the NHL.

— Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Is that the most difficult thing for you as the showrunner of a political show today — a president as a villain?

— Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of villain

Verb

In response, the watchdog group Campaign for Accountability filed a complaint Wednesday with the State Bar of California asking it to investigate whether Zacharia misrepresented herself as a lawyer in violation of California law.

— Jill Colvin, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
But Amendment 83 has drawn an especially stark contrast between two types of Colorado’s hunters, with each claiming that the other is misrepresenting the interest of both the public and Centennial State hunters and anglers.

— Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of misrepresent

Verb

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
Similar to modern innuendo, phallic imagery was sometimes used to subvert taboos and humorously challenge norms.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of subvert

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perversive

pervert

perverted

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“Pervert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pervert. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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