1 perverse | Definition of perverse
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perverse

adjective
per·​verse | \ (ˌ)pər-ˈvərs How to pronounce perverse (audio) , ˈpər-ˌvərs\

Definition of perverse

1a : turned away from what is right or good : corrupt
b : improper, incorrect
c : contrary to the evidence or the direction of the judge on a point of law perverse verdict
2a : 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
Other Words from perverse Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about perverse

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Other Words from perverse

perversely adverb
perverseness noun
perversity \ pər-​ˈvər-​sə-​tē How to pronounce perversity (audio) , -​stē \ 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?
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Recent Examples on the Web

 That leaves the government in the perverse position of protecting enormous insurance companies against a small band of counselors and social workers — all in the name of fairness. — David Scharfenberg, BostonGlobe.com, "Boston’s middle class is getting crushed — does anyone care?," 30 Aug. 2019 So, a recession would be an interestingly injurious carom — a win, of a perverse sort — from his trade war. — George Will, National Review, "Trade War Shows Reality of ‘America First’ in Action," 25 Aug. 2019 So, a recession would be an interestingly injurious carom — a win, of a perverse sort — from his trade war. — George F. Will, The Denver Post, "Will: Trade war shows reality of “America First” in action," 25 Aug. 2019 So, a recession would be an interestingly injurious carom — a win, of a perverse sort — from his trade war. — George Will, Twin Cities, "George Will: Trade war shows reality of ‘America First’ in action," 25 Aug. 2019 From there, Rees-Mogg’s dictates go from irrational to perverse. — Burbank Leader, "A Word, Please: New leader of Britain’s House of Commons imposes unusual grammar rules," 22 Aug. 2019 Most taxidermy stories hold their animals at a remove, framing them as either pedagogical—fodder for exhibition—or perverse. — Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, "Taxidermy Is a Metaphor for Our Time," 21 Aug. 2019 There was a perverse pleasure in eschewing the thing that everybody’s there for: the kills. — Alissa Wilkinson, Vox, "Ari Aster on his new film Midsommar: “I keep telling people I want it to be confusing”," 2 July 2019 In his own day, and into the nineteenth century, Hume’s philosophical writings were generally seen as perverse and destructive. — The New York Review of Books, "Anthony Gottlieb," 7 Feb. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'perverse.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of perverse

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

History and Etymology for perverse

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

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More Definitions for perverse

perverse

adjective
How to pronounce perverse (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of perverse

: wrong or different in a way that others feel is strange or offensive

See the full definition for perverse in the English Language Learners Dictionary

perverse

adjective
per·​verse | \ pər-ˈvərs How to pronounce perverse (audio) \

Kids Definition of perverse

1 : stubborn in being against what is right or sensible
2 : wrong especially in a way that is strange or offensive

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