1
as in irritable
easily irritated or annoyed
how can you be so cheerful one day, and so perverse the next?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in corrupt
having or showing lowered moral character or standards
social conservatives who believe that Hollywood is a perverse world that exerts an unhealthy influence on the young
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in stubborn
sticking to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion
a fact so self-evident that not even the most perverse of opponents could deny it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in inappropriate
not appropriate for a particular occasion or situation
a convicted criminal seemed like a perverse choice for a bank employee
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of perverse
The perverse consequence of trigger warnings, then, may be to harm the people they are intended to protect.
—
Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025
Ironically, under the pressure of declining demand, there can be perverse incentives to grow credit hours required in a major or in general education requirements as a way of garnering more resources or adding courses aligned with faculty interests.
—John Weigand, The Conversation, 30 June 2025
His perverse plot was uncovered in 2017 when the brother of one victim found
communications between the serial killer and his sister on Twitter.
—Chris Spargo, People.com, 27 June 2025
This creates a perverse incentive structure where mediocrity gets attention and excellence gets taken for granted.
—Mark Murphy, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for perverse
Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025
Ironically, under the pressure of declining demand, there can be perverse incentives to grow credit hours required in a major or in general education requirements as a way of garnering more resources or adding courses aligned with faculty interests.
—John Weigand, The Conversation, 30 June 2025
His perverse plot was uncovered in 2017 when the brother of one victim found
communications between the serial killer and his sister on Twitter.
—Chris Spargo, People.com, 27 June 2025
This creates a perverse incentive structure where mediocrity gets attention and excellence gets taken for granted.
—Mark Murphy, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for perverse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perverse
Adjective
-
Despite its self-destructive proclivities, the irritable giant has managed to make, and keep, a friend.—
Robin George Andrews,
New York Times,
22 July 2025
-
Determined to make a clean SPF, Brown says a chemical formula was out of the question (chemical sunscreens are often thought to be unsafe for the coral reef and irritable to sensitive skin types).—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
After decades when Ukraine was seen as one of the most corrupt countries in the world, cleaning up its government has been held up as the most important condition for Kyiv to join the European Union and integrate more broadly with the West.—
Olena Harmash,
USA Today,
23 July 2025
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That includes Kevin Bacon as corrupt corporate overlord Bob Garbinger, as well as Wood's Fritz, Bob's brother who runs a gang of lunatic henchmen called Killer Nutz.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
22 July 2025
Adjective
-
Beneath its surface were deep, dark scars—grooves cut through the rock by old lava flows, now overgrown with stubborn green.—
Tess Moormans,
Travel + Leisure,
27 July 2025
-
The fizzing reaction can help remove stubborn residues.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
27 July 2025
Adjective
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Once the encounter was posted online, internet sleuths quickly detected the identity of the duo, and the encounter was deemed particularly inappropriate given Byron is married.—
Kim Elsesser,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
-
Back then, Trump derided White House events for foreign dignitaries held in tents, saying that was an inappropriate way to entertain them.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
20 July 2025
Adjective
-
Chicago Police Department brass accused Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration of deliberately slowing down paychecks for dozens of employees this summer in a fiery email that warned the city was jeopardizing its compliance with the federal consent decree.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
22 July 2025
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In another, cucumber kimchi, a fresh and crunchy side dressed in gochujang with a fiery kick that cuts through the richness filling the rest of my tray.—
Rachel Bernhard,
jsonline.com,
22 July 2025
Adjective
-
In the kitchen, opt for glass and stainless-steel containers, and throw away degraded plastic tools.—
Annie Lowrey,
The Atlantic,
7 July 2025
-
Shot on low-grade digital cameras that made every image look even more apocalyptic and degraded, the film remains utterly terrifying, boasting excellent supporting turns from Naomie Harris and Brendan Gleeson as Jim’s fellow survivors.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
20 June 2025
Adjective
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Since camp got underway, he's been adamant that winning games is far more important than his personal stats.—
Kevin McCormick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 July 2025
-
Liverpool communicated an interest in acquiring the Sweden international for around £120m, though Newcastle have been adamant for months that Isak is not for sale.—
David Ornstein,
New York Times,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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His attorneys are now seeking access to information from prosecutors and from Mangione's insurer, Aetna, arguing the subpoena was improper.—
Aaron Katersky,
ABC News,
18 July 2025
-
The county inspector general, in a December 2021 report, found mismanagement in the district and improper payments made to district trustees.—
Mike Nolan,
Chicago Tribune,
18 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Perverse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perverse. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.
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