perverse

[ per-vurs ]

adjective

1. willfully determined or disposed to go counter to what is expected or desired; contrary.

   Synonyms: disobedient, contumacious

   Antonyms: agreeable

2. characterized by or proceeding from such a determination or disposition:

   a perverse mood.

3. wayward or cantankerous.
4. persistent or obstinate in what is wrong.

   Synonyms: headstrong, stubborn

   Antonyms: tractable

5. turned away from or rejecting what is right, good, or proper; wicked or corrupt.

   Synonyms: sinful, bad, evil

perverse

/ pəˈvɜːs /

adjective

1. deliberately deviating from what is regarded as normal, good, or proper
2. persistently holding to what is wrong
3. wayward or contrary; obstinate; cantankerous
4. archaic.
   perverted

Derived Forms

• perˈversely, adverb
• perˈverseness, noun

Other Words From

• per·verse·ly adverb
• per·verse·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of perverse¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, Middle French pervers, “wicked, unnatural,” from Latin perversus “facing the wrong way, askew,” past participle of pervertere “to turn around, overturn”; pervert

Word History and Origins

Origin of perverse¹

C14: from Old French pervers, from Latin perversus turned the wrong way

Synonym Study

See willful.

Example Sentences

“The radical left are using the public school system to push their perverse sexual, racial, and political material on our youth,” according to Trump’s issue statement on education.

From Los Angeles Times

One of the perverse effects of MAGA's endless self-pity over being criticized for "jokes" is that it ends up making the stakes of the election seem smaller.

From Salon

On the other hand, once they do get jobs, many gyopos say there is a perverse incentive to downplay their Koreanness.

From Los Angeles Times

"Objectively, the film is also a critique of a codependent relationship between a very perverse narcissist and a very vulnerable, echo personality," Szaniawski said of the dynamic between Jack and Wendy.

From Salon

Strong chews through his scenes as Cohn, with a perverse sense of humor, anger and focus.

From Salon

Related Words

• contradictory
• wicked