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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective perverse contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of perverse are balky, contrary, restive, and wayward. While all these words mean "inclined to resist authority or control," perverse may imply wrongheaded, determined, or cranky opposition to what is reasonable or normal.

a perverse, intractable critic

When can balky be used instead of perverse?

Although the words balky and perverse have much in common, balky suggests a refusing to proceed in a desired direction or course of action.

a balky witness

When is it sensible to use contrary instead of perverse?

In some situations, the words contrary and perverse are roughly equivalent. However, contrary implies a temperamental unwillingness to accept orders or advice.

a contrary child

Where would restive be a reasonable alternative to perverse?

The words restive and perverse can be used in similar contexts, but restive suggests unwillingness or inability to submit to discipline or follow orders.

tired soldiers growing restive

When would wayward be a good substitute for perverse?

The synonyms wayward and perverse are sometimes interchangeable, but wayward suggests strong-willed capriciousness and irregularity in behavior.

a school for wayward youths

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of perverse The other people Ye tries to big-foot into indulging his perverse Peter Pan complex fare more poorly. Derek Robertson, The Washington Examiner, 10 Oct. 2025 And while the film’s metaphor seems to indicate that Jesse’s burgeoning sexuality is something to fear, the ridiculousness of the dialogue and Patton’s shrieking performance make this a perverse camp classic. Samantha Allen, Them., 7 Oct. 2025 Gein, whose killing spree throughout the 1950s gained global media attention as the grisly details of his perverse murders came to light, ultimately confessed to killing two women and robbing countless graves over the years before he was finally caught in 1957. Sean Neumann, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025 Anderson envisioned the scene where Penn’s Lockjaw does his paternity test with Willa as taking place in a chapel, so La Purisima’s sanctuary provided the perfect backdrop for his perverse quest. Pat Saperstein, Variety, 27 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for perverse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perverse
Adjective
  • However, the Moon is at odds with Mars, encouraging grumpy and irritable reactions.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 15 Oct. 2025
  • However, such symptoms are hard to attribute to vaccines because infants can be irritable or fussy regardless of vaccination.
    Aria Bendix, NBC news, 19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • By inviting armed soldiers into our streets, the Governor has sold out our sovereignty to a corrupt politician looking to distract you from the Epstein Files, rising prices at the grocery store, and more Texans than ever unable to realize the dream of homeownership.
    Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
  • MacCallum noted that Mamdani had apologized to two dozen members of the NYPD, having previously referred to them as racist, wicked and corrupt.
    Ted Johnson, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Uninhibited by the European commitments of their rivals following last season’s dreary eighth-place finish, Massimiliano Allegri has wasted no time moulding the Rossoneri into a stubborn outfit that sit within two points of the summit after a 0-0 draw at Juventus before the international break.
    Jack Bantock, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
  • That damaging psychic weight of insecurity and self-blame seeps into our society and politics, where polls show a stubborn and longtime trend of declining faith in a better future.
    Nino Paoli, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • And if the gifts this year are inappropriate, the fault will rest solely with him.
    Mark Mondier, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2025
  • After Ansari set Being Mortal as his directorial debut in February 2022, also set to star alongside Murray, Deadline reported exclusively that April that Searchlight Pictures had suspended production following allegations of inappropriate behavior against Murray.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The model was a vision on the runway in a fiery red lingerie set, complete with a long train.
    Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Stanley, Simmons and Criss were dismayed by his appearance but sufficiently impressed with his fiery lead guitar work, and he was invited to join a few weeks later.
    Jem Aswad, Variety, 16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Lattice’s resilient mesh network ensures that EagleEye remains functional in degraded or jammed environments.
    Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Here, settler colonialism is understood as a form of environmental injustice, where pollution and degraded landscapes diminish Indigenous quality of life and ability to be in right relationship with the environment.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Whoever wins or doesn’t win, Markman is adamant that trophies don’t define us.
    Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Much to the dismay of Gen Z striving for success with a manageable work-life balance, CEOs are adamant that intense schedules are essential for anyone looking to make it in business.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Edward Kabacinski pleaded no contest to improper possession of a firearm, according to online Macomb County Circuit Court records.
    Christina Hall, Freep.com, 21 Oct. 2025
  • But Vance recently urged Americans to call the employers of those who posted improper sentiments about slain activist Charlie Kirk.
    The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 19 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Perverse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perverse. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on perverse

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