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

Mrs Mills also denies perverting the course of justice by deleting messages and giving police a false account.

Read more on BBC

But the Republican Party stopped working on policy — and started perverting Christianity — many election cycles back.

Read more on Salon

Ms Sullivan was convicted of perverting the course of justice and jailed for four years, reduced to three-and-a-half on appeal.

Read more on BBC

One of the officers, a police constable, remains under criminal investigation for the potential offence of perverting the course of justice, they added.

Read more on BBC

Tregonning admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving and perverting the course of justice and was sentenced to three years and four months in prison.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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