1
as in irritable
easily irritated or annoyed
how can you be so cheerful one day, and so perverse the next?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in irritability
readiness to show annoyance or impatience
a certain coworker's habitual perversity makes him unpleasant to be around
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Mark Murphy, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
There’s the perverse pride in a history of gang violence, and the reputation of University of Chicago undergraduates.
—Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2025
Tax bill full of perverse incentives Real World Economics: Remember the money supply?
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 15 June 2025
However, the Senate's scholarship restriction could create perverse incentives, discouraging institutions from offering comprehensive aid packages to their neediest students.
—Scott White, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for perverse
Adjective
This creates a perverse incentive structure where mediocrity gets attention and excellence gets taken for granted.
—Mark Murphy, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
There’s the perverse pride in a history of gang violence, and the reputation of University of Chicago undergraduates.
—Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2025
Tax bill full of perverse incentives Real World Economics: Remember the money supply?
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 15 June 2025
However, the Senate's scholarship restriction could create perverse incentives, discouraging institutions from offering comprehensive aid packages to their neediest students.
—Scott White, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for perverse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perverse
Adjective
-
Determined to make a clean SPF, Brown says a chemical formula was out of the question (chemical sunscreens are often thought to be unsafe for the coral reef and irritable to sensitive skin types).—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
9 July 2025
-
In my own experience, poor sleep has frequently been the reason behind feeling tired and irritable.—
Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt,
CNN Money,
8 July 2025
Adjective
-
Rachel and Ray need to go on the run after Ray’s investigation into a corrupt pharmaceutical executive puts their live in peril.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
-
And then reality crashes down around them in a series of scenes that expose the cruel hypocrisy of Iran’s corrupt system (which purports to uphold morality, but allows men in positions of authority to indulge themselves in egregious ways).—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
One of the people that is most stubborn in their support of these spendy projects is Senator Todd Young, a Republican from Indiana.—
Roger Valdez,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
For indoor brick, keep it simple by trying a slightly damp brush to sweep away stubborn dirt.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
29 June 2025
Adjective
-
Last season, Horner also came under scrutiny during an investigation into inappropriate and controlling behavior towards a female employee.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
9 July 2025
-
Outrageous videos of purple-haired teachers voicing deeply political and inappropriate content on social media often reach millions of people, creating the false impression that teachers are generally unhinged and want to use their perch to push a personal agenda.—
Carrie Lukas,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
Noun
-
Severe sunburns can also cause physical discomfort and psychological distress, including pain, irritability, embarrassment, and symptoms like fever and dehydration.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 July 2025
-
Mood changes like sadness, anxiety, or irritability arise.—
Sarah Jividen,
Verywell Health,
26 June 2025
Adjective
-
Turn four, in particular, put on a display of fiery orange and red, visible to the naked eye.—
Kristin Shaw,
ArsTechnica,
10 July 2025
-
Turner, a fiery redhead and one of the heroes for the Los Angeles Dodgers during their 2020 title run, promptly ripped a pitch into the left-field seats, spoiling the shutout.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
Shot on low-grade digital cameras that made every image look even more apocalyptic and degraded, the film remains utterly terrifying, boasting excellent supporting turns from Naomie Harris and Brendan Gleeson as Jim’s fellow survivors.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
20 June 2025
-
The good news is that General Mills is more than 60% of the way to achieving its goal of advancing regenerative agriculture—farming practices that regenerate degraded soil—on a million acres of land by 2030.—
Dave Levinthal,
Fortune,
16 June 2025
Adjective
-
Among the holdouts are members of the SALT Caucus, who have been adamant that any deal from the Senate that does not match the one that passed the House is dead on arrival.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
27 June 2025
-
President Donald Trump has been adamant his tariffs will bring factory jobs back to American shores.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
27 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Perverse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perverse. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share