perverse
perverse Lexical Profile
perverse Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Showing a deliberate and obstinate desire to behave in a way that is unreasonable or unacceptable, often in spite of the consequences.
"She took a perverse pleasure in arguing against the consensus of the committee."
Contrary to the accepted or expected standard or practice; producing an unintended and undesirable result opposite to what was intended.
"The well-meaning subsidy created a perverse incentive that ultimately increased industrial pollution."
Turned away from what is right or good; morally corrupt or wicked.
"The novel explores the perverse cruelty of the authoritarian regime."
Word Nuance & Usage
'Perverse' should not be confused with 'perverted'. While 'perverse' describes stubbornly unreasonable, contrarian, or counterproductive behavior (such as a 'perverse incentive'), 'perverted' typically carries a much stronger implication of moral corruption or sexual deviance.
• Rhymes for perverse
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 14th century from Old French 'pervers', from Latin 'perversus' ('turned around, awry, misguided'), the past participle of 'pervertere' ('to overturn, corrupt'), formed from 'per-' ('thoroughly, to destruction') and 'vertere' ('to turn').
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.