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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 whole perverse regime was onstage, including Kristi Noem and Marco Rubio. Seth Harp, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025 The perverse idea is that voluminous, intrusive rules and laws can replace human judgment. Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025 Our perverse desire for holidays. Teddy Wayne september 9, Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2025 What the Conjurings have done is more perverse than the standard prettying up. Alison Willmore, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for perverse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perverse
Adjective
  • 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
  • When the caffeine wears off, children may have a headache and feel irritable or tired.
    Dr. Mark Corkins, Boston Herald, 14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In one of many tonally jarring subplots, Vince works out a scam to burn down his dead mother’s house in Brooklyn to collect the insurance money with the help of a corrupt fire marshal.
    Andrew Bernard, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The writer became inspired to counteract his complicity in a corrupt system.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Originally bred in Germany to hunt badgers, these small canines are energetic, bold and stubborn.
    Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Both options meant navigating some stubborn supporters.
    Kevin Coulson, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The girl also reported seeing inappropriate images on the screensaver of an iPad at Berrelez’s home.
    Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Judge Arun Subramanian noted the tone of the defense's letter was inappropriate and should not be done again.
    Lauryn Overhultz , Tracy Wright , Maria Paronich , Kirill Clark, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Fans have pointed to the former Big Machine label boss, who oversaw Swift’s early career and later clashed with her over ownership of her masters, as the likely target of this fiery track.
    Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Investigators have since concluded that the item initially thought to be an explosive was debris from a fiery vehicle crash.
    Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • At the same time, suicide-attack FPVs incorporate AI navigation for autonomous terminal guidance under degraded control.
    Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Under her leadership, the NYBG’s research team has expanded to 81 projects across 79 countries to conserve disappearing plant species, restore degraded ecosystems, and breed crops to withstand drought, sea level rise and extreme heat under climate change.
    Eduardo Garcia, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • To their credit, Wild GM Bill Guerin and owner Craig Leipold were adamant that wasn’t going to happen and got a deal done.
    James Mirtle, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
  • His family, as well as his legal team, are adamant that Combs has been rehabilitated and should be released.
    DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Cucumbers can sometimes carry Salmonella, which may contaminate their skin or flesh during irrigation with unsafe water or through improper handling and distribution practices.
    Jillian Kubala, Health, 29 Sep. 2025
  • The new order said the justices were not making a final determination, but the administration had made sufficient showing at this stage that the challenge brought by foreign assistance groups to Trump's spending freeze was improper.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Perverse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perverse. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on perverse

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