1
as in irritable
easily irritated or annoyed
how can you be so cheerful one day, and so perverse the next?
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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
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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
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of perverse
In their view, the federal government’s involvement has distorted risk and created perverse incentives, with no role for a national solution to what is seen as a local problem.
—
Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Things get more complicated, perverse, even a bit kinky from there when Nevile marries his mistress (Mimi Keene) and then opts to summer at his aunt’s estate – with both his current wife and Audrey, his ex!
—Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 16 Apr. 2025
This is like one of Larry David's torturous self-debates on Curb Your Enthusiasm, but without his perverse genius, his wheedling, preening hostility.
—Tom Gliatto, People.com, 26 Mar. 2025
His desire to poke, prod, and contemplate the perverse ironies of mortality is still present and accounted for, however.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perverse
Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Things get more complicated, perverse, even a bit kinky from there when Nevile marries his mistress (Mimi Keene) and then opts to summer at his aunt’s estate – with both his current wife and Audrey, his ex!
—Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 16 Apr. 2025
This is like one of Larry David's torturous self-debates on Curb Your Enthusiasm, but without his perverse genius, his wheedling, preening hostility.
—Tom Gliatto, People.com, 26 Mar. 2025
His desire to poke, prod, and contemplate the perverse ironies of mortality is still present and accounted for, however.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perverse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perverse
Adjective
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It is believed to reduce pain and inflammation, and has been used for treatment of back pain, high blood pressure, arthritis, migraines, and irritable bowel disease.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
4 Apr. 2025
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And even in what was a stilted match played in an increasingly irritable atmosphere, Rogers and Tielemans delivered with an assist each.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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That included former interim U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon, who wrote in her resignation letter that Adams had entered into a corrupt quid pro quo with Trump to get rid of his case by offering immigration enforcement assistance in exchange for a dismissal.—
Chris Sommerfeldt,
New York Daily News,
10 May 2025
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He has been banned for life from the city of Bonita Springs, having once sunk a corrupt city councilman’s party barge, but shows little remorse.—
Amy Weiss-Meyer,
The Atlantic,
8 May 2025
Adjective
-
Get The Recipe Smart Move Similar recipes with beans and peas existed before then, but a challenge made to a stubborn chef named Helen Corbitt spurred the creation of Texas caviar.—
Libby Monteith Minor,
Southern Living,
17 May 2025
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When tragedy strikes on Michigan roads—when a car skids off an icy bend or a semi-truck barrels through a red light—victims are often left to face not only devastating injuries but also a daunting legal maze of corporate denials and stubborn insurers.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
17 May 2025
Adjective
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Screenshot inappropriate gun marketing content and circulate it.—
Sarah Scott,
Parents,
9 May 2025
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Originally a producer on the project, he was fired for cause after at least one incident of inappropriate behavior on Runner that included bullying and yelling at crew.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
9 May 2025
Adjective
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The fiery collision involved a tour bus and a Nissan SUV.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
11 May 2025
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Her quirky sense of humor and passion for her career align with the zodiac sign Aries, whose fiery spirit can relate.—
Lisa Stardust,
People.com,
11 May 2025
Adjective
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Maltz served as the lead author on a meta-analysis of how soil inoculation with different species of mycorrhizal fungi can affect degraded ecosystems.—
Lauren Oster,
Smithsonian Magazine,
12 May 2025
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For example, sponsor initiatives to restore degraded ecosystems, protect endangered species or support reforestation.—
Jamie Houston,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The chairman was adamant this bill can still pass by Johnson's goal of Memorial Day.—
Lauren Peller,
ABC News,
16 May 2025
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Valli remains adamant about the importance of fashion as escapism.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
15 May 2025
Adjective
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Trump, who has painted past legal cases against him as an improper political use of law enforcement, has in a number of instances called for probes of his foes.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
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The report alleges a range of major violations plaguing St. Hope Public Schools — including conflicts of interests among its top officers, improper use of public funding, deficient accounting processes and the employment of a largely unqualified teaching staff.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
21 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Perverse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perverse. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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