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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of perverse
The perverse consequence of trigger warnings, then, may be to harm the people they are intended to protect.
—
Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025
Ironically, under the pressure of declining demand, there can be perverse incentives to grow credit hours required in a major or in general education requirements as a way of garnering more resources or adding courses aligned with faculty interests.
—John Weigand, The Conversation, 30 June 2025
His perverse plot was uncovered in 2017 when the brother of one victim found
communications between the serial killer and his sister on Twitter.
—Chris Spargo, People.com, 27 June 2025
This creates a perverse incentive structure where mediocrity gets attention and excellence gets taken for granted.
—Mark Murphy, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for perverse
Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025
Ironically, under the pressure of declining demand, there can be perverse incentives to grow credit hours required in a major or in general education requirements as a way of garnering more resources or adding courses aligned with faculty interests.
—John Weigand, The Conversation, 30 June 2025
His perverse plot was uncovered in 2017 when the brother of one victim found
communications between the serial killer and his sister on Twitter.
—Chris Spargo, People.com, 27 June 2025
This creates a perverse incentive structure where mediocrity gets attention and excellence gets taken for granted.
—Mark Murphy, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for perverse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perverse
Adjective
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Despite its self-destructive proclivities, the irritable giant has managed to make, and keep, a friend.—
Robin George Andrews,
New York Times,
22 July 2025
-
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
Adjective
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After decades when Ukraine was seen as one of the most corrupt countries in the world, cleaning up its government has been held up as the most important condition for Kyiv to join the European Union and integrate more broadly with the West.—
Olena Harmash,
USA Today,
23 July 2025
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Womack’s charges include corrupt organizations, endangering the welfare of care, unlawful use of a computer, identity theft, forgery and theft of unlawful taking.—
Mike Stunson,
Miami Herald,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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Beneath its surface were deep, dark scars—grooves cut through the rock by old lava flows, now overgrown with stubborn green.—
Tess Moormans,
Travel + Leisure,
27 July 2025
-
The fizzing reaction can help remove stubborn residues.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
27 July 2025
Adjective
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An internal investigation found no evidence of inappropriate behavior with students, and McGann resigned from Lewisville ISD in May 2023, FitzPatrick said.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
2 Aug. 2025
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After further studies and community meetings, city planners found three intersections to be inappropriate and dropped them from the plan.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 July 2025
Adjective
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Mars will bring a fun, fiery vibe to your love life, and with a trine to Uranus in your sign on Aug. 8, expect sparks to fly!—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
1 Aug. 2025
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Alfredo Gutierrez was not just the fiery activist that many remember.—
Joanna Allhands,
AZCentral.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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On top of software setbacks, the OP said the vehicle's battery had to be replaced, but with a degraded unit that reduced range by 30 miles overnight.—
Thomas Westerholm,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 July 2025
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In the kitchen, opt for glass and stainless-steel containers, and throw away degraded plastic tools.—
Annie Lowrey,
The Atlantic,
7 July 2025
Adjective
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Since camp got underway, he's been adamant that winning games is far more important than his personal stats.—
Kevin McCormick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 July 2025
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Liverpool communicated an interest in acquiring the Sweden international for around £120m, though Newcastle have been adamant for months that Isak is not for sale.—
David Ornstein,
New York Times,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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Common violations for all six restaurants with scores under 80 included improper storage of food, food that was stored above the proper temperature, and unlabelled food or cleaning supplies, among other sanitary violations.—
Samara Gerstle,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 July 2025
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But the hotel's logs also illustrate that the hotel was aware there were days near to when Alexis Williams used the pool that the water showed no chlorine or bromine and improper pH levels, the lawsuit contends.—
Keith Matheny,
Freep.com,
31 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Perverse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perverse. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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