perverse

The definition of perverse is deliberately behaving badly or improperly, despite knowing that your actions are likely to have bad consequences.

(adjective)

An example of perverse is when you disobey your mother even as you know she is watching you disobey her direct order.

See perverse in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

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

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

Related Forms:

See perverse in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Directed away from what is right or good; perverted.
Obstinately persisting in an error or fault; wrongly self-willed or stubborn.
a. Marked by a disposition to oppose and contradict.
b. Arising from such a disposition.
Cranky; peevish.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English pervers

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Latin perversus

Origin: , past participle of pervertere, to pervert; see pervert

Related Forms: