perverse
12 synonyms and 3 antonyms for perverse, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Deliberately behaving in a way that is unreasonable, contrary, or against what is expected or sensible.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use perverse
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
perverse logic
perverse pleasure
perverse incentive
Etymology
From Old French pervers, from Latin perversus ("turned the wrong way"), past participle of pervertere — see "pervert."
Full origin of perverse →Frequently asked questions
What does “perverse” mean?
The word “perverse” means deliberately behaving in a way that is unreasonable, contrary, or against what is expected or sensible. In plain terms, stubbornly or oddly contrary to what makes sense, or twisted in a darker moral sense.
How do you pronounce “perverse”?
“Perverse” is pronounced puh-VURS (/pɚˈvɝs/ in IPA).
How do you use “perverse” in a sentence?
Here is “perverse” used in a sentence: “It seemed perverse to complain about the free upgrade.”
What is another word for “perverse”?
Words with a similar meaning to “perverse” include contrary, cross, froward, intractable, petulant and stubborn.
What is the opposite of “perverse”?
The opposite of “perverse” — its antonyms — are innocent, tractable and amenable.
What part of speech is “perverse”?
“Perverse” is an adjective.
Where does the word “perverse” come from?
The word “perverse” comes from Latin. From Old French pervers, from Latin perversus ("turned the wrong way"), past participle of pervertere — see "pervert.".
Is “perverse” a common word?
“Perverse” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
