as in irritability
readiness to show annoyance or impatience
a certain coworker's habitual perversity makes him unpleasant to be around
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Recent Examples of perversity
From top to bottom, this administration embodies the perversity, ignorance and belligerence of its leader.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2026
His shrieking reactions to his wife’s savagery throw into relief his good nature and her perversity.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
For me, there’s always the perversity of getting on a trendy bandwagon and just liking it for the irony.
—Marc Malkin, Variety, 14 Oct. 2025
Here, Henkel leans into the inherent perversity that lingered in the sequels but has rarely been effectively employed since Hooper’s original.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Sep. 2025
The perversity of government stakes in private companies is made even clearer by other Washington antics.
—Clyde Wayne Crews Jr, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Actions matter, not words that, in their perversity, made matters worse.
—Hussein Agha, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2025
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2026
His shrieking reactions to his wife’s savagery throw into relief his good nature and her perversity.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
For me, there’s always the perversity of getting on a trendy bandwagon and just liking it for the irony.
—Marc Malkin, Variety, 14 Oct. 2025
Here, Henkel leans into the inherent perversity that lingered in the sequels but has rarely been effectively employed since Hooper’s original.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Sep. 2025
The perversity of government stakes in private companies is made even clearer by other Washington antics.
—Clyde Wayne Crews Jr, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Actions matter, not words that, in their perversity, made matters worse.
—Hussein Agha, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perversity
Noun
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This is also one of the reasons why chronically high cortisol is associated with anxiety, irritability and trouble focusing.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
30 May 2026
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That histamine release is what drives symptoms like flushing, irritability and GI issues.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
29 May 2026
Noun
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Hegseth, speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Asia’s premier forum for defense leaders, militaries and diplomats, said a stronger, more self-reliant network of allies is essential to deter aggression and preserve the balance of power.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
30 May 2026
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Fudd started the second half with the Wings’ first bucket, her second 3-pointer of the game, and kept the aggression going, finishing the game with 9-of-15 shooting with three rebounds and two assists.—
Lawrence Dow,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 May 2026
Noun
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Cole took advantage of the Rays’ aggressiveness, ramping up his off-speed usage the second time through the order.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
23 May 2026
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While an immediate trade is unlikely, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has shown early aggressiveness before.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
23 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Perversity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perversity. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
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