PERVERSE Synonyms: 375 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'perverse' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of perverse are balky , contrary , restive , and wayward . While all these words mean "inclined to resist authority or control," perverse may imply wrongheaded, determined, or cranky opposition to what is reasonable or normal. // a perverse , intractable critic

Q: When can 'balky' be used instead of 'perverse'?

Although the words balky and perverse have much in common, balky suggests a refusing to proceed in a desired direction or course of action. // a balky witness

Q: When is it sensible to use 'contrary' instead of 'perverse'?

In some situations, the words contrary and perverse are roughly equivalent. However, contrary implies a temperamental unwillingness to accept orders or advice. // a contrary child

Q: Where would 'restive' be a reasonable alternative to 'perverse'?

The words restive and perverse can be used in similar contexts, but restive suggests unwillingness or inability to submit to discipline or follow orders. // tired soldiers growing restive

Q: When would 'wayward' be a good substitute for 'perverse'?

The synonyms wayward and perverse are sometimes interchangeable, but wayward suggests strong-willed capriciousness and irregularity in behavior. // a school for wayward youths

perverse

adjective

(ˌ)pər-ˈvərs

Definition of perverse next

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

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

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

as in inappropriate

not appropriate for a particular occasion or situation a convicted criminal seemed like a perverse choice for a bank employee

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective perverse contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of perverse are balky, contrary, restive, and wayward. While all these words mean "inclined to resist authority or control," perverse may imply wrongheaded, determined, or cranky opposition to what is reasonable or normal.

a perverse, intractable critic

When can balky be used instead of perverse?

Although the words balky and perverse have much in common, balky suggests a refusing to proceed in a desired direction or course of action.

a balky witness

When is it sensible to use contrary instead of perverse?

In some situations, the words contrary and perverse are roughly equivalent. However, contrary implies a temperamental unwillingness to accept orders or advice.

a contrary child

Where would restive be a reasonable alternative to perverse?

The words restive and perverse can be used in similar contexts, but restive suggests unwillingness or inability to submit to discipline or follow orders.

tired soldiers growing restive

When would wayward be a good substitute for perverse?

The synonyms wayward and perverse are sometimes interchangeable, but wayward suggests strong-willed capriciousness and irregularity in behavior.

a school for wayward youths

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of perverse Expats Ann and Bunny would have to voyage back across the Atlantic to benefit, but there’s a perverse joy in knowing that our crazy lady would have double the voting rights in Vance’s hypothetical. —

Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 2 Aug. 2024 In a perverse circular logic, the crime itself can come to seem like the clearest evidence of the condition that is held up to exculpate the mother—and also like its own form of punishment. —

Eren Orbey, The New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2024 Music has often been described as a dirty business, and this is because so many perverse actors see openings to exploit the pure drive and passion of artists and listeners. —

Charlie Kaplan, Variety, 10 Oct. 2024 While sudden incidents wrest the plot in new directions, the film is driven less by perverse narrative trickery than by the arbitrary cruelty of fate or the volatility of human nature. —

Guy Lodge, Variety, 26 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for perverse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for perverse

Adjective

On Monday, after Rodgers and former head coach Robert Saleh had spent several months bickering over topics such as unexcused absences and cadence, the irritable quarterback won out again.

Rob Reischel, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024
Within a couple of weeks of wearing the buds, my ears stopped having the irritable side effects.

Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 3 Oct. 2024