pervert

[ verb per-vurt; noun pur-vert ]

verb (used with object)

1. to affect with perversion.
2. to lead astray morally.

   Synonyms: demoralize, corrupt, seduce

3. to turn away from the right course.

   Synonyms: divert

4. to lead into mental error or false judgment.

   Synonyms: misguide, mislead

5. to turn to an improper use; misapply.
6. to misconstrue or misinterpret, especially deliberately; distort:

   to pervert someone's statement.

7. to bring to a less excellent state; vitiate; debase.

   Synonyms: degrade, impair, defile, pollute

8. Pathology. to change to what is unnatural or abnormal.
9. to convert or persuade to a religious belief regarded as false or wrong.

noun

1. a person who practices sexual perversion.
2. Pathology. a person affected with perversion.
3. a person who has been perverted, or turned from what is right, especially to a religious belief regarded as erroneous.

pervert

verb

1. to use wrongly or badly
2. to interpret wrongly or badly; distort
3. to lead into deviant or perverted beliefs or behaviour; corrupt
4. to debase

noun

1. a person who practises sexual perversion

Derived Forms

• perˈverter, noun
• perˈvertible, adjective

Other Words From

• per·verter noun
• per·verti·ble adjective
• per·verti·bili·ty noun
• per·verti·bly adverb
• nonper·verti·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pervert¹

First recorded in 1300–50; (for the verb) Middle English perverten, from Latin pervertere “to overturn, subvert,” from per- per- + vertere “to turn”; (for the noun) noun use of obsolete pervert “perverted”

Word History and Origins

Origin of pervert¹

C14: from Old French pervertir, from Latin pervertere to turn the wrong way, from per- (indicating deviation) + vertere to turn

Example Sentences

Mullin said he was open to voting for someone he had previously described as a shameless pervert.

From Salon

Following the discovery of the fraud, Roger Bryant attempted to pervert the course of justice by asking two people to lie and say they had witnessed works take place at various locations, when in fact they had not.

From BBC

Using contraception within marriage also makes one an irredeemable pervert.

From Salon

It’s a queering of the Madonna and Child; Opie, a lesbian who was in the leather community, reveals her right arm adorned with tattoos, the word “Pervert” faintly seen and scarred over her chest.

From Los Angeles Times

The woman has also been charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice.

From BBC

Related Words

• deviant
• weirdo