perverse

adjective

per·​verse (ˌ)pər-ˈvərs How to pronounce perverse (audio)
ˈpər-ˌvərs
1
a
: turned away from what is right or good : corrupt
c
: contrary to the evidence or the direction of the judge on a point of law
perverse verdict
2
a
: obstinate in opposing what is right, reasonable, or accepted : wrongheaded
b
: arising from or indicative of stubbornness or obstinacy
3
: marked by peevishness or petulance : cranky
4
: marked by perversion
perversely adverb
perverseness noun
perversity noun
Choose the Right Synonym for perverse

contrary, perverse, restive, balky, wayward mean inclined to resist authority or control.

contrary implies a temperamental unwillingness to accept orders or advice.

a contrary child

perverse may imply wrongheaded, determined, or cranky opposition to what is reasonable or normal.

a perverse, intractable critic

restive suggests unwillingness or inability to submit to discipline or follow orders.

tired soldiers growing restive

balky suggests a refusing to proceed in a desired direction or course of action.

a balky witness

wayward suggests strong-willed capriciousness and irregularity in behavior.

a school for wayward youths

Examples of perverse in a Sentence

their perverse cruelty to animals She has a perverse fascination with death. He seems to take perverse pleasure in making things as difficult as possible. His friends all enjoy his perverse sense of humor. Is this some kind of perverse joke?
Recent Examples on the Web Kennedy has voiced similar concerns about eliminating perverse incentives from regulatory agencies. Emily Hallas, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Sep. 2024 Advertisement The perverse playfulness with which Hunter handles even the most grotesque scatological scenes fuels a disturbing yet stellar performance, one that’s far more memorable than the movie as a whole. Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2024 Beetlejuice 1 had an exciting, surreal strangeness, thanks to the originality of Burton’s perverse Gothic humor and the unsettling performance by a manic, growling Michael Keaton, made up to look something like a dead possum in prison stripes. Tom Gliatto, Peoplemag, 5 Sep. 2024 Confiscatory laws in some states create perverse incentives for farmers to grow the most water-intensive crops. Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for perverse 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'perverse.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French purvers, pervers, from Latin perversus, from past participle of pervertere

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of perverse was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near perverse

Cite this Entry

“Perverse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perverse. Accessed 1 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

perverse

adjective
per·​verse (ˌ)pər-ˈvərs How to pronounce perverse (audio)
ˈpər-ˌvərs
1
: morally bad : corrupt
2
: stubborn in opposing what is right, reasonable, or accepted : wrongheaded
3
4
: marked by perversion : perverted
perversely adverb
perverseness noun

Medical Definition

perverse

adjective
per·​verse pər-ˈvərs How to pronounce perverse (audio)
: being, relating to, or characterized by perversion
perverse sexual behavior

More from Merriam-Webster on perverse

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