adjective C2 Proficient Uncommon

perverse

puh-VURS

Perverse (adjective) means Deliberately behaving in a way that is unreasonable, contrary, or against what is expected or sensible. Example: “It seemed perverse to complain about the free upgrade.”

adjective

Deliberately behaving in a way that is unreasonable, contrary, or against what is expected or sensible.

"It seemed perverse to complain about the free upgrade."

"There's a perverse satisfaction in doing things the hard way."

Showing an unusual and often unhealthy or twisted deviation from what is considered normal or moral.

"He took a perverse pleasure in watching them argue."

How to use perverse

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishStubbornly or oddly contrary to what makes sense, or twisted in a darker moral sense.

Easily confused with

pervert → perverted →

Common pairings

perverse logic perverse pleasure perverse incentive

Word forms

more perverse comparative, perverser comparative, perversed past tense, perverses plural, perverses singular, most perverse superlative, perversest superlative

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Can you complete this real example?

It seemed _____ to complain about the free upgrade.

Etymology

From Old French pervers, from Latin perversus ("turned the wrong way"), past participle of pervertere — see "pervert."

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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contrary cross froward intractable petulant stubborn ungovernable untoward vexatious vexing wayward

Antonyms

innocent tractable amenable

Related words

across pass cross toward mad angry opposite guilty

Rhymes for perverse

verse averse inverse reverse adverse diverse immerse universe converse disperse traverse multiverse

See all rhymes for 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.

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