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perverse Definition

per·verse (pər vʉrs′)

adjective

  1. deviating from what is considered right or good; wrong, improper, etc. or corrupt, wicked, etc.; perverted
  2. persisting in error or fault; stubbornly contrary
  3. obstinately disobedient or difficult; intractable
  4. characterized by or resulting from obstinacy or contrariness

Etymology: ME pervers < OFr < L perversus, pp. of pervertere: see pervert

perverse Related Forms
per·verse′ly adverb per·verse′·ness noun
perverse Synonyms

perverse

modif.

  1. Obstinate

    headstrong, obdurate, self-willed, wrongheaded; see contrary 4, obstinate 1.

  2. Inclined to opposition and bad temper

    cranky, contrary, unreasonable; see contrary 4, irritable.

  3. Erring

    wayward, delinquent, malicious, capricious; see wicked 1. See syn. study at contrary.

perverse Usage Examples

Modifying Another Word

  • wilfully: From psychedelic folk to space prog The Beta Band, made some of the most intriguing, yet wilfully perverse music of the â90s.
  • utterly: As Dr. Nicholas Hammond, lecturer in French at Cambridge University says: " Making languages not compulsory is utterly perverse.
  • somewhat: That would seem to be a somewhat perverse justification.
  • almost: Collins's process is one of almost perverse fixation.
  • rather: I make a strong argument in my book for the rather perverse aspect to this.
  • slightly: As tho they were taking part in a sort of erotic but slightly perverse sexual ritual.

Infinitive complement

  • put: Anyone able to plan a series of ski trips would be perverse not to put their favorite resorts on the itinerary.
  • say: Tho it is perverse to say it, Bearden should be credited for directing attention to this odd situation.
  • do: If it is unreasonable to believe without reason then it is perverse to do so.
  • suggest: It is perverse to suggest that dinosaurs were still evolving into birds when birds were already present.

Modifies a noun

  • incentive: The perverse incentives in the current system will be removed.
  • subsidy: The Chancellor should act now to cut or redirect these perverse subsidies " .
  • irony: In a perverse irony, the reverse is equally true.
  • verdict: There should be a right for the prosecution and defense to appeal against perverse jury verdicts.
  • pleasure: Monday 12th June 2006 You could derive perverse pleasure from watching others running around trying to meet your demands.
  • pride: It is possible to take a perverse pride in being unaware of its immediate context at the time of release.

Used with adjective complement

  • seem: It may seem perverse to teach " wrong " ideas.
  • sound: Vi for Squeak - it sounds perverse, but I've had a lot more fun with Squeak since I installed this.
  • become: The simple becomes cunning, The good becomes perverse.
  • feel: There is no answer, except that we feel perverse, using the word with no comprehension of the principle.
perverse Quotes

And besides, Mrs Forthby in the flesh was a different kettle of fish to Mrs Forthby in his fantasies. In the latter she had a multitude of perverse inclinations, which corresponded exactly with his own unfortunate requirements, while possessing a discretion that would have done credit to aTrappist nun. In the flesh she was disappointingly different.

—Sharpe,Tom (Thomas Ridley)

Thesewidows, Sir, arethemost perverse creaturesinthe world.

—Addison,Joseph

Browse dictionary entries near perverse

  1. ‹ pervasive
  2. ‹ pervade
  3. ‹ Peruvian bark
  4. ‹ Peruvian
  5. ‹ Perutz
  6. ‹ peruse
  7. ‹ perusal
  8. ‹ peruke
  9. ‹ Perugino
  10. ‹ Perugia
  1. perversion ›
  2. perversity ›
  3. perversive ›
  4. pervert ›
  5. perverted ›
  6. pervious ›
  7. pes ›
  8. Pesach ›
  9. pesade ›
  10. Pescadores ›