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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in irritability
readiness to show annoyance or impatience
a certain coworker's habitual perversity makes him unpleasant to be around
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of 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
Adjective
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
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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In fact, Evans’ plotline as the corrupt Reverend Drew essentially runs parallel to Qualley’s and the lack of intersection is a curious oversight.—
Esther Zuckerman,
IndieWire,
23 May 2025
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In a later scene, Lamia narrowly escapes the claws of a similarly corrupt and ill-intentioned predator, using her wits and sharpened intuition.—
Tomris Laffly,
Variety,
19 May 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
Adjective
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But lingering beneath the surface of his success, Favre had a pattern of inappropriate behavior off the field, including a high-profile tabloid scandal that erupted in 2010, and most recently, the largest case of public fraud in Mississippi’s history.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
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As the rebel Jen (Michelle Williams) comes to town, and Pacey (Joshua Jackson) carries on an inappropriate relationship with his teacher, that turns out to be the case. 23.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
20 May 2025
Noun
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Your personality or mood changes Several symptoms that aren’t memory-related are associated with early Alzheimer's and dementia, including irritability, depression, anxiety, and apathy.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
25 Apr. 2025
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Mood swings, irritability, headaches, acne, and cramps are some of the most common symptoms suffered by women during the week leading up to menstruation.—
María Quiles,
Vogue,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Ethan just held onto a plane in mid-air, beat the bad guy, and defeated a god-like artificial intelligence averting the fiery nuclear death of all humanity.—
James Grebey,
Vulture,
23 May 2025
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Adding a salt rim elevates your glass, but for a spicy kick, use Halo Del Santo, a cocktail garnish made with salt, fiery chiles and a touch of citrus.—
Jeanette Hurt,
Forbes.com,
22 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
Cite this Entry
“Perverse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perverse. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
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