perverse

1 of 2

adjective

per·​verse (ˌ)pər-ˈvərs 

ˈpər-ˌvərs

1

a

: 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

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

pər-ˈvər-sə-tē 

-stē

noun

perversity

2 of 2

noun

per·​ver·​si·​ty |sətē 

-ətē, 

-i

plural -es

1

: the quality or state of being perverse

some sort of perversity in our souls

—D. H. Lawrence

2

: an instance of perversity

in spite of a hundred perversities

—C. E. Montague

one of the ironic perversities that often attend the course of affairs

—John Dewey

Synonyms of perverse

Adjective

• irritable
• fiery

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

Adjective

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

Adjective

Suffering in bed might look strange, even perverse. — David Denby, New Yorker, 21 June 2026

Sophie Lewis Considers the Plight of Heterofatalism Human beings are, of course, perverse—both in ways that enrich our lives and in ones that hinder us. — Literary Hub, 16 June 2026

This creates a perverse outcome. — Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026

Imposing a duty to monitor and act on worrisome content could create perverse incentives. — Anat Lior, Fortune, 30 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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

Noun

Latin perversitas, from perversus perverse + -itas -ity

First Known Use

Adjective

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

Phrases Containing perverse

• polymorphous perverse

Rhymes for perverse

• adverse
• averse
• coerce
• disburse
• disperse
• diverse
• immerse
• inverse
• obverse
• rehearse
• reverse
• transverse

Kids Definition

perverse

adjective

per·​verse (ˌ)pər-ˈvərs 

ˈpər-ˌvərs

1

: morally bad : corrupt

2

: stubborn in opposing what is right, reasonable, or accepted : wrongheaded

3

: irritable, cranky

4

: marked by perversion : perverted

perversely adverb

perverseness noun

Medical Definition

perverse

adjective

per·​verse pər-ˈvərs 

: being, relating to, or characterized by perversion

perverse sexual behavior