perverseness

noun

Definition of perversenessnext
as in irritability
readiness to show annoyance or impatience the kind of perverseness that makes you want to snap at anyone who makes the mistake of greeting you

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for perverseness
  1. irritability
  2. perversity
  3. aggression
Noun
  • Even one night of not getting enough rest can mean irritability, memory issues, focus and, worse, mood.
    — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Eating earlier than noon could lead to hunger before dinner, while waiting too long to eat lunch may increase fatigue or irritability.
    — Trista Chan, HEALTH, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of irritability
Noun
  • Its practice of permitting construction projects at the same time in adjoining areas, causing the most inconvenience to vehicular traffic, wins the award for most perversity.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The movie is essentially an old-fashioned story of one lad’s sentimental education, spiced up with NSFW perversity.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 30 July 2026
Definition of perversity
Noun
  • Instead, that generation’s gesture seems to be stymied or to miss its target and end in bitterness—which is precisely what gives these artists’ work at its best a poignancy on the other side of its aggression and humor.
    — Barry Schwabsky, ARTnews.com, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Volatile, headstrong, and brimming with wild-eyed passive-aggression, the actor’s performance heightens the wall situation from a neighborly dispute to the stuff of a biblical trial.
    — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of aggression
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.

Browse Nearby Words

perverse
perverseness
perversion
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Cite this Entry

“Perverseness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perverseness. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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