perversion

noun

per·​ver·​sion pər-ˈvər-zhən 

-shən

1

: the action of perverting : the condition of being perverted

2

: a perverted form

especially : an aberrant sexual practice or interest especially when habitual

Synonyms

• abjection
• corruption
• corruptness
• debasement
• debauchery
• decadence
• decadency
• degeneracy
• degenerateness
• degeneration
• degradation
• demoralization
• depravity
• dissipatedness
• dissipation
• dissoluteness
• libertinage
• libertinism
• pervertedness
• rakishness
• turpitude

Examples of perversion in a Sentence

They fought against perversion of the health-care system.

claimed that rap and rock music were responsible for the perversion of the nation's young people

Recent Examples on the Web

Originally, there was a title sequence that had nothing to do with John Doe and his fingertips or any of his composition book perversions. —Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 2 Jan. 2025

There’s an itch to depict Diddy as a Black Jeffrey Epstein, the ringleader of clandestine, A-list perversion. —Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2024

Spanish officials also accused Vives of criminal conspiracy, fraud and perversion of justice and are currently seeking a six year prison sentence for the executive. —Madeline Fitzgerald, Quartz, 19 Sep. 2024

And this cultural extortion, rooted in naïve ghetto socialism — a perversion of the civil-rights heritage — plants a worrisome notion. —Armond White, National Review, 11 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

perversion

noun

per·​ver·​sion pər-ˈvər-zhən 

1

a

: the action of perverting

b

: the state of being perverted

2

: abnormal sexual behavior

Medical Definition

perversion

noun

per·​ver·​sion pər-ˈvər-zhən, -shən 

1

: the action of perverting or the condition of being perverted

2

: an aberrant sexual practice or interest especially when habitual