perverse

[per-vurs]

adjective

1. willfully determined or disposed to go counter to what is expected or desired; contrary.

   Synonyms: disobedient, contumacious
   Antonyms: agreeable

2. characterized by or proceeding from such a determination or disposition.

   a perverse mood.

3. wayward or cantankerous.

4. persistent or obstinate in what is wrong.

   Synonyms: headstrong, stubborn
   Antonyms: tractable

5. turned away from or rejecting what is right, good, or proper; wicked or corrupt.

   Synonyms: sinful, bad, evil

perverse

/ pəˈvɜːs /

adjective

1. deliberately deviating from what is regarded as normal, good, or proper

2. persistently holding to what is wrong

3. wayward or contrary; obstinate; cantankerous

4. archaic,  perverted

Other Word Forms

• perversely adverb
• perverseness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of perverse¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, Middle French pervers, “wicked, unnatural,” from Latin perversus “facing the wrong way, askew,” past participle of pervertere “to turn around, overturn”; pervert

Word History and Origins

Origin of perverse¹

C14: from Old French pervers, from Latin perversus turned the wrong way

Synonym Study

See willful.

Example Sentences

She’s 25 years older than her husband, an age gap they believe is “natural” if the man is older, but perverse if the woman is.

From Salon

That system has entrenched a dangerous double standard, creating perverse incentives for the proliferation of world-destroying weaponry, already possessed by nine countries.

From Salon

“This was just one big, perverse publicity stunt,” said Ron Gochez, a member of Unión del Barrio, an independent political organization advocating for immigrant rights and social justice.

From Los Angeles Times

This perfect storm of obstacles points to a perverse irony: that countless so-called rescue dogs, with nowhere else to go, now face the prospect of being euthanised.

From BBC

Dehorning rhinos to save them may seem perverse.

From Salon

Related Words

• contradictory 
• wicked