1
as in degradation
a sinking to a state of low moral standards and behavior
claimed that rap and rock music were responsible for the perversion of the nation's young people
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2
as in misuse
incorrect or improper use
if there's a hidden charge for the service, then that's a perversion of the word "free"
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Recent Examples of perversion
Those who place responsibility on individuals and employers saw the ACA as perversion of the government’s purpose.
—
Robert Applebaum, The Conversation, 19 Dec. 2025
While the bad clown—a horror staple—might seem like a perversion of a wholesome form of entertainment historically meant for children, the clown in popular culture has always been subversive.
—Time, 30 Oct. 2025
After months marked by corruption, violence, and the open perversion of law, to gasp in outrage at the loss of a few tons of masonry and mortar might seem oddly misjudged.
—Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025
Empsall’s small church offers classes on Christian resistance to fascism and how to reject White Christian nationalism as a perversion of Christianity.
—Liam Adams, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perversion
Robert Applebaum, The Conversation, 19 Dec. 2025
While the bad clown—a horror staple—might seem like a perversion of a wholesome form of entertainment historically meant for children, the clown in popular culture has always been subversive.
—Time, 30 Oct. 2025
After months marked by corruption, violence, and the open perversion of law, to gasp in outrage at the loss of a few tons of masonry and mortar might seem oddly misjudged.
—Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025
Empsall’s small church offers classes on Christian resistance to fascism and how to reject White Christian nationalism as a perversion of Christianity.
—Liam Adams, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perversion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perversion
Noun
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Using a combination of durable ceramic materials and specialized membranes, the filtration unit can remove extremely small contaminants while maintaining stable operation through a self-cleaning thermal mechanism that prevents buildup and degradation over time.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Mar. 2026
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Coupled with a significant degradation of Iranian military power, something already underway, these objectives would constitute an acceptable end to the war.—
Colin Pascal,
Baltimore Sun,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Back in November 2024, a whistleblower filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board alleging, among other issues, misuse of resources and abuse of power at the union.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
28 Mar. 2026
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With smart glasses growing in popularity and more companies deploying facial scanning as a primary security measure, the potential for misuse has also grown.—
Justyn Newman,
PC Magazine,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Over the past decade, United States Attorney’s Offices in New York City, Boston and Philadelphia have charged dozens of individuals in corruption and fraud schemes involving college coaches, players and athletic department personnel.—
Robert L. Boone,
Sportico.com,
31 Mar. 2026
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Four people were charged Tuesday in connection a federal corruption investigation that has ensnared NYC Councilmember Farah Louis and a nonprofit providing homeless services to the city.—
Josephine Stratman,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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King, who is in his early fifties, is a former marine, a motivational speaker, and a mental-health and substance-abuse professional.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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Payments will be based on severity and duration of the abuse, the level of cooperation with investigators and other factors, records show.—
Chase Jordan,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Perversion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perversion. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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