perversion

American  

[per-vur-zhuhn, -shuhn] / pərˈvɜr ʒən, -ʃən /

noun

1. the act of perverting.

2. the state of being perverted.

3. a perverted form of something.

4. any of various means of obtaining sexual gratification that are generally regarded as being abnormal.

5. Pathology. a change to what is unnatural or abnormal.

   a perversion of function or structure.

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perversion British  

/ pəˈvɜːʃən /

noun

1. any abnormal means of obtaining sexual satisfaction

2. the act of perverting or the state of being perverted

3. a perverted form or usage

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Other Word Forms

• nonperversion
  noun

Etymology

Origin of perversion

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin perversiōn- (stem of perversiō ). See perverse, -ion

Explanation

Although most often used to refer to some sort of psychological corruption or abnormal behavior (usually sexual), the word perversion can actually refer to anything that is used for a distorted or wrong purpose. The Latin word pervertere, which means "turn around," serves as the basis for the noun perversion, suggesting something that is contrary to something else. The word developed a religious meaning in the 15th century, when it came to be used to refer to any distortion of church doctrine. Around 1700, the word developed a secular meaning, denoting what was considered deviant sexual behavior — often any sexual behavior other than that used to reproduce.

Example Sentences

Meanwhile, the perversion of ordinary goods to serve a fully militarized state is encapsulated in the difficulty the boy has in finding white flour: None is available because it’s being used to stanch wounds.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

Attorney Alexandra Shapiro called Combs' 50-month prison sentence "unlawful, unconstitutional, and a perversion of justice".

From BBC • Dec. 24, 2025

Redford derided not only crookedness but the perversion of procedure and hard work that resulted in the privileged mounting their success on the backs of others.

From Salon • Sep. 21, 2025

Advocates say the technology simply takes the principle of efficient pricing to its logical extreme; critics say it’s unfair, discriminatory and a perversion of free-market capitalism.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 23, 2024

The world was full of fathers—was therefore full of misery; full of mothers—therefore of every kind of perversion from sadism to chastity; full of brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts—full of madness and suicide.

From "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley