pervert

[per-vurt, 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

Other Word Forms

• perverter noun
• pervertible adjective
• pervertibility noun
• pervertibly adverb
• nonpervertible 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

At Leeds Crown Court, Thompson, of Andover Street, Sheffield, pleaded guilty to blackmail and perverting the course of justice.

From BBC

It was like a perverted version of “Friends.”

From Los Angeles Times

The former Netflix star was charged with three counts of perverting the course of justice over the crocodile egg harvesting disaster in 2022.

From BBC

The five were held on suspicion of offences including perverting the course of justice, misconduct in public office and corrupt or improper exercise of police powers, Scotland Yard said.

From BBC

During the first trial, the pair were also found guilty of concealing the birth of a child and perverting the course of justice by not reporting her death.

From BBC

Related Words

• debase 
• desecrate 
• distort 
• falsify 
• misconstrue 
• misinterpret 
• misrepresent 
• vitiate 
• warp