Synonyms

perverted

American

[per-vur-tid] / pərˈvɜr tɪd /

adjective

Pathology. changed to or being of an unnatural or abnormal kind.

a perverted interest in death.
turned from what is right; wicked; misguided; distorted.
affected with or caused by perversion.

perverted British

/ pəˈvɜːtɪd /

adjective

deviating greatly from what is regarded as normal or right; distorted
of or practising sexual perversion
incorrectly interpreted

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

nonperverted adjective
nonpervertedly adverb
pervertedly adverb
pervertedness noun
unperverted adjective
unpervertedly adverb

Etymology

Origin of perverted

First recorded in 1660–70; pervert + -ed ²

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Reprehensible such people may be, but they are motivated by a kind of perverted idealism.

From Salon • Sep. 28, 2025

Corker also perverted another protest slogan into an attack on workers by declaring, “the whole world is watching.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2024

“That states do have the power to further their own agendas in very perverted ways.”

From Seattle Times • Apr. 10, 2024

Many have commended her for speaking out, and have condemned the "arrogance" of her blackmailer, and his "perverted" behaviour.

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2023

“She perverted our Arcanum Elixir of Light and found a way to strip Marvellers of their gifts.”

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023