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Definition of perverse
1a : turned away from what is right or good : corruptb : improper, incorrectc : 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 : wrongheadedb : arising from or indicative of stubbornness or obstinacy
3 : marked by peevishness or petulance : cranky
4 : marked by perversion
perversely
adverbperverseness
nounExplore Merriam-Webster
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 of perverse from the Web
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Veep functions according to a kind of perverse form of anti-gravity:
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Its policies are best described as simply perverse.
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Sandoval said in a veto message that that could create a perverse incentive for some companies to manipulate insulin supplies.
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Sandoval said in a veto message that that could create a perverse incentive for some companies to manipulate insulin supplies.
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Perverse Effect Originally intended to stimulate entrepreneurial dynamism, the hands-off approach may have ended up having a perverse effect, allowing a few large companies to entrench their positions and ultimately stifle competition.
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Cox’s Churchill is so arrogant and contemptuous of modern military strategy that there is a perverse satisfaction in seeing Slattery’s Eisenhower knock him down a peg.
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In perverse way Venus, perhaps more than any other player, benefits from the absence of Serena.
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Cox’s Churchill is so arrogant and contemptuous of modern military strategy that there is a perverse satisfaction in seeing Slattery’s Eisenhower knock him down a peg.
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.
Origin and Etymology of perverse
Middle English, from Anglo-French purvers, pervers, from Latin perversus, from past participle of pervertere
Synonym Discussion of perverse
PERVERSE Defined for English Language Learners
perverse
playDefinition of perverse for English Language Learners
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: wrong or different in a way that others feel is strange or offensive
PERVERSE Defined for Kids
perverse
playDefinition of perverse for Students
1 : stubborn in being against what is right or sensible
2 : wrong especially in a way that is strange or offensive
Medical Dictionary
perverse
playMedical Definition of perverse
: being, relating to, or characterized by perversion perverse sexual behavior
Learn More about perverse
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See words that rhyme with perverse Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for perverse Spanish Central: Translation of perverse Nglish: Translation of perverse for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of perverse for Arabic speakers
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