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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

 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 Requiring builders to subsidize expensive low-income units has the perverse effect of proportionally raising costs on all other housing. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Econometer: Should San Diego developers be allowed to put low-income apartments in different buildings?," 2 Aug. 2019 With that said, PE's presence in certain industries, as Leo notes, does create perverse incentives. — Polina Marinova, Fortune, "Home Insurance Startup Hippo Joins the ‘Unicorn’ Club: Term Sheet," 24 July 2019 But the strongest, if most perverse, lead O’Neill unearths stems from a prior family killing. — Stephen Phillips, latimes.com, "What really happened in the Manson murders? ‘Chaos’ casts doubt on Helter Skelter theory," 12 July 2019 The plan, if implemented, would create permanent perverse incentives for young Americans to take on even more debt. — Nr Editors, National Review, "The Week," 11 July 2019 Worse, Sanders’s plan creates permanent perverse incentives for young Americans to take on even more debt. — The Editors, National Review, "Bernie’s Daft Debt Jubilee," 25 June 2019 After that, there is competition, with perverse incentives: whoever has the most heartrending story wins. — Nathan Heller, The New Yorker, "The Perverse Logic of GoFundMe Health Care," 24 June 2019 Even in standard rep, productions tend to be quite creative -- sometimes brilliant, sometimes perverse, sometimes some mix thereof. — Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, "Coming-of-age story packs an emotional wallop with its premiere at opera festival," 18 June 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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