The Meaning of Perverted: What It Is and How To Use It

Do you know the definition of perverted? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on the word perverted, including its definition, usage, example sentences, and more!

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What does the word perverted mean?

According to Cambridge English Dictionary and Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, the word perverted (adj, pronounced ​ˈpəːvəːt ed) is an adjective that means corrupt, considered strange and unpleasant, or changed from its original form or proper purpose. The current usage of the word is usually used to describe someone who has a sexual perversion, or strange sexual behavior. A pervert might have a twisted sense of values. Their behavior deviates outside the realm of what is considered normal, and their sexual habits might be considered stadne to some. This could even do as far as criminals who prey on young people; the term perverted is an all-encompassing term for anything from kinky sex to masochism or sadism, to criminal behavior involving rape or other acts. This person might have some semblance of deviant tastes in certain circumstances. Someone could be described as having a perverted sense of loyalty. More than just a person can be perverted: there are perverted acts, a perverted conscience, perverted interest, perverted deeds and more. This word definitely has a negative connotation, referring to deviant behavior or some variety of forms of deviation. The term paraphilia can also be used to describe certain areas of perversion. This is often used in psychological literature or by school counselors as a replacement for the term perverted. This type of behavior can be described by the term perversion. Often, a person who is perverted is on the wrong course. Someone might say, “That man is perverted. He isn’t allowed around young children.” Try using flashcards to learn this new word.

This word also exists in many other languages. Below is a list of translations, provided by Word Hippo. You could also find these in dictionaries from other languages, like a Spanish Dictionary or German Dictionary. 

  • Afrikaans verdraai
  • Amharic ተንበርክቷል teniberikitwali
  • Arabic مرتد​​​ perverter ​​​مړتت
  • Bosnian perverzna, ​pokvariti
  • Cebuano hiwi
  • Chinese 误用 ​​​使人变坏
  • Croatian izopačen, iskriviti
  • Czech perverzní
  • Danish perverteret
  • Dutch pervers, ​​​perverse daad
  • Hungarian erkölcsileg
  • Filipino taliwas
  • Lithuanian iškreipti
  • Latvian samaitāt
  • Malayalam തെറ്റായി teṟṟāyi
  • Maori ka whakakorea
  • Marathi विकृत Vikr̥ta
  • Nepal i विलुप्त भयो Vilupta bhayō
  • Norwegian pervertert
  • Polish zdemoralizowany
  • Portuguese pervertido

What is the origin of the word perverted?

According to Etymonline, the word perverted comes from the late 14th century Middle English verb pervert. This comes from the transitive verb perverten, meaning to turn someone from a religious or moral belief to a false one, or to distort a natural order. This comes from the Old French pervertir, which was used in the 12th century. The French word comes directly from the Latin pervertere meaning to overthrow or overturn. This comes from the prefix per meaning away and the root vertere meaning to turn or transform, which gives us the suffix vert for the words convert or invert. This is from Proto-Indo-European roots; the root wer, meaning to turn or bend. The word pervert has been used as a noun since the 1660s, which was taken from the verb. Related words include perverse, peevish, perversion, as well as perverting. 

What are synonyms and antonyms for the word perverted?

There are many different words that a person can use in place of the word perverted. These are called synonyms, which are words and phrases that have the same meaning as another word or phrase. Synonyms are a useful tool to know in the English language because they can help you avoid repeating yourself as well as expanding your English language vocabulary. This list of synonyms for the word perverted is provided by Thesaurus.

  • shameless
  •  kinky
  •  lewd
  •  misused
  •  bad
  •  vicious
  •  bawdy
  •  lascivious
  •  racy
  •  incontinent
  •  foul-mouthed
  •  sicko
  •  pornographic
  •  low
  •  vitiated
  •  vitiate
  •  dirty
  •  in bad taste
  •  abandoned
  •  salacious
  •  scurrilous
  •  X-rated
  •  fast
  •  sick
  •  immodest
  •  deviant
  •  smutty
  •  dirty-minded
  •  corrupt
  •  vile
  •  monstrous
  •  scandalous
  •  ribald
  •  debauch
  •  distorted
  •  polluted
  •  risqué
  •  wanton
  •  impure
  •  twisting
  •  foreign
  •  libidinous
  •  warped
  •  contorted
  •  unclean
  •  wicked
  •  abused
  •  depraved
  •  corrupted
  •  loose
  •  naughty
  •  outraged
  •  obscene
  •  unnatural
  •  unconventional
  •  filthy
  •  degenerate
  •  debauched
  •  taboo
  •  blue
  •  profligate
  •  immoral
  •  unchaste
  •  erotic
  •  flagitous
  •  licentious
  •  deviating
  •  miscreant
  •  questionable
  •  degraded
  •  aberrant
  •  perverted
  •  improper
  •  lustful
  •  hard-core
  •  rakish
  •  off-color
  •  unhealthy
  •  impaired
  •  intemperance
  •  debased
  •  grotesque
  •  sinful
  •  indelicate
  •  suggestive
  •  misguided
  •  queer
  •  lecherous
  •  twisted
  •  libertine
  •  tainted
  •  gone to the dogs
  •  defiled
  •  unvirtuous
  •  villainous
  •  dissolute
  •  evil
  •  coarse
  •  base
  •  gross
  •  abnormal
  •  nefarious
  •  putrid
  •  rotten
  •  mean

There are also numerous different words and phrases that have the opposite meaning as the word perverted. These are called antonyms. Antonyms are another quick and easy way to expand your English language vocabulary. This list of synonyms for the word perverted is provided by Thesaurus as well. 

  • trustworthy
  •  laudable
  •  salt of the earth
  •  good
  •  upright
  •  just
  •  pure
  •  sinless
  •  moral
  •  elevated
  •  respectable
  •  guiltless
  •  blameless
  •  true-blue
  •  decent
  •  rectitude
  •  clean
  •  dutiful
  •  courteous
  •  exemplary
  •  decorous
  •  moralistic
  •  principled
  •  virtuous
  •  proper
  •  correct
  •  modest
  •  wholesome
  •  praiseworthy
  •  righteous
  •  high-minded
  •  unsullied
  •  innocent
  •  upstanding
  •  worthy
  •  propriety
  •  kosher
  •  ethical
  •  straight
  •  square
  •  aboveboard
  •  meritorious
  •  honorable
  •  scrupulous
  •  truthful
  •  unguilty
  •  chaste
  •  conscientious
  •  faultless
  •  noble
  •  crimeless
  •  inculpable
  •  seemly
  •  honest
  •  immaculate
  •  undefiled
  •  meet
  •  kindly
  •  right
  •  saintly
  •  incorruptible

Overall, the word perverted is an adjective that is used to describe something that is either not used for its inherent purpose, like a sermon, doctrine, proverbs or poem that is misconstrued. In the case of a poem, this could be considered a perverted translation of the poem or it could be said that someone perverted the meaning of the poem. They are not deciphering the meaning of an author, or are not using the material for its true use. A perverted act or perverted person is someone who practices deviant behavior, and this can also describe the behavior itself. This type of human behavior usually involves some sort of sexuality. Some people believe that Eve interacting with the serpent in the Bible caused Satan to allow perversions of the flesh.

Sources:

  1. PERVERTED Synonyms: 49 Synonyms & Antonyms for PERVERTED | Thesaurus 
  2. MORAL Synonyms: 85 Synonyms & Antonyms for MORAL | Thesaurus
  3. pervert | Origin and meaning of pervert by Online Etymology Dictionary | Etymonline  
  4. Perverted | Definition of Perverted by Merriam-Webster
  5. PERVERTED | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary  
  6. Translations for perverted | Word Hippo