What does "pervert" mean?
One who has been perverted; one who has turned to error, or adopted a twisted sense of values or morals.
Pervert
/ˈpəː.vəːt/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: One who has been perverted; one who has turned to error, or adopted a twisted sense of values or morals.
- Grammar: pervert is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: corrupt, debauch, degenerate, demoralize.
- Useful contrasts: correct, maintain, moral person.
- Usage evidence: There is no such thing, at this stage of the world’s history in America, as an independent press. You know it and I know it. There is not one of you who dare write your honest opinions, and if you did, you know beforehand that it would never appear in print. I am paid weekly for keeping my honest opinions out of the paper I am connected with. Others of you are paid similar salaries for similar things, and any of you who would be foolish as to write honest opinions would be out on the streets looking for another job. If I allowed my honest opinions to appear in one issue of my papers, before twenty-four hours my occupation would be gone. The business of the journalist is to destroy the truth, to lie outright, to pervert, to vilify, to fawn at the feet of Mammon, and to sell his country and his race for his daily bread. You know it and I know it, and what folly is this toasting an independent press? We are the jumping jacks, they pull the strings and we dance. Our talents, our possibilities and our lives are all the property of other men. We are intellectual prostitutes.
How to use "pervert"
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- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "pervert" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "pervert" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "pervert" as the right word for your sentence.
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "pervert" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "corrupt" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 One who has been perverted; one who has turned to error, or adopted a twisted sense of values or morals. dated
"And yet it is not only tolerated, but perverts are making to it in England and this country, — perverts among the intelligent and the learned. For these things, which I have quoted, are not accusations made in a corner, but have been published in the face of the world by one of the profoundest theologians of the day, and challenge confutation."
- 2 a person whose behavior deviates from what is acceptable especially in sexual behavior wordnet
- 3 A person whose sexual habits are not considered acceptable.
"Those perverts were trying to spy on us while we changed clothes!"
Verb
- 1 To turn another way; to divert. transitive
"Let's follow him, and pervert the present wrath."
- 2 change the inherent purpose or function of something wordnet
- 3 To corrupt; to cause to be untrue; corrupted or otherwise impure transitive
"How could stopping someone from killing himself or herself "pervert the course of justice"?"
- 4 practice sophistry; change the meaning of or be vague about in order to mislead or deceive wordnet
- 5 To misapply, misuse, use for a nefarious purpose
"He has perverted his talents to dishonest gain."
Show 3 more definitions
- 6 corrupt morally or by intemperance or sensuality wordnet
- 7 to misinterpret designedly.
"pervert one's words"
- 8 To become perverted; to take the wrong course. intransitive
"After that worde, "better is it to dey than lyve false," and al wolde perverted people false reporte make"
Antonyms
Example
"There is no such thing, at this stage of the world’s history in America, as an independent press. You know it and I know it. There is not one of you who dare write your honest opinions, and if you did, you know beforehand that it would never appear in print. I am paid weekly for keeping my honest opinions out of the paper I am connected with. Others of you are paid similar salaries for similar things, and any of you who would be foolish as to write honest opinions would be out on the streets looking for another job. If I allowed my honest opinions to appear in one issue of my papers, before twenty-four hours my occupation would be gone. The business of the journalist is to destroy the truth, to lie outright, to pervert, to vilify, to fawn at the feet of Mammon, and to sell his country and his race for his daily bread. You know it and I know it, and what folly is this toasting an independent press? We are the jumping jacks, they pull the strings and we dance. Our talents, our possibilities and our lives are all the property of other men. We are intellectual prostitutes."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "pervert"?
Common synonyms include: corrupt, debauch, degenerate, demoralize, deviant, sophisticate.
How do you use "pervert" in a sentence?
There is no such thing, at this stage of the world’s history in America, as an independent press. You know it and I know it. There is not one of you who dare write your honest opinions, and if you did, you know beforehand that it would never appear in print. I am paid weekly for keeping my honest opinions out of the paper I am connected with. Others of you are paid similar salaries for similar things, and any of you who would be foolish as to write honest opinions would be out on the streets looking for another job. If I allowed my honest opinions to appear in one issue of my papers, before twenty-four hours my occupation would be gone. The business of the journalist is to destroy the truth, to lie outright, to pervert, to vilify, to fawn at the feet of Mammon, and to sell his country and his race for his daily bread. You know it and I know it, and what folly is this toasting an independent press? We are the jumping jacks, they pull the strings and we dance. Our talents, our possibilities and our lives are all the property of other men. We are intellectual prostitutes.
How do you pronounce "pervert"?
Pronounced /ˈpəː.vəːt/.
Etymology
From Old French pervertir, itself from the Latin pervertō.