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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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One man’s modernity is, of course, another’s degradation, and, as dinner was served, the conversation turned to such recent innovations as ghost runners, pitch clocks, and robot umps, none of them to Murray’s liking.—
Ben McGrath,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
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Critical rehabilitation work has begun on about 1 ½ miles of sanitary sewer pipe in Macomb County, Michigan, after utility crews found severe degradation in the line.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
Noun
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In a statement to USA TODAY, a Samsung spokesperson said the company denies any intentional misuse and said the image was provided through a third-party content partner for Samsung TV Plus, its free streaming service.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
16 May 2026
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The audits had confirmed the news reports of Cheng’s prolific misuse of his CSCU credit card and his generous relocation benefit to move from northern Westchester County on the Connecticut border to the Constitution State.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
16 May 2026
Noun
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The Criminal Division will not allow foreign actors to exploit the American financial system and use it as a safe haven for the proceeds of their corruption.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
19 May 2026
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The vote on March 22 was marred by allegations of foreign influence and corruption.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 May 2026
Noun
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These groups are specifically designed to help support people in relationships with those struggling with substance abuse.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
17 May 2026
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Constant changes and slow IRS guidance led to widespread confusion and, eventually, abuse that forced the IRS to put a moratorium on claims on September 14, 2023 until August 8, 2024.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Perversion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perversion. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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