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

Example 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 For more: Read Elizabeth Kolbert on the perverse policies that have fuelled wildfires; Carolynn Kormann on living with smoke; and M. R. O’Connor on the dangers of fighting megafires. —

Caroline Mimbs Nyce, The New Yorker, 8 Jan. 2025 This shortfall creates a perverse incentive for companies to simply offload liabilities and forego the bond, potentially enjoying a 98% off coupon for cleanup. —

Andrew Leahey, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025 Treating the tragedies of others like a spectator sport is almost always repugnant, but the calculating Kelly-Anne (Juliette Gariépy) and Ted Bundy fan girl-type Clémentine (Laurie Babin) approach the perverse pastime from opposite ends of the attention-seeking spectrum. —

Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 1 Jan. 2025 But Stiller liked pausing on the precipice of the perverse love triangle—or quadrangle—of Mark torn by two halves of his consciousness toward two women. —

Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 18 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for perverse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for perverse

Adjective

By the end, Liverpool’s players seemed tired and Klopp was irritable, clearly in need of a rest.

— Simon Hughes, The Athletic, 20 Jan. 2025
The trio’s sixth record is charmingly irritable in both of its moods: hopped up on fluffy coffee while cracking baseball jokes, or dragging out downbeats and lamenting power structures to goad listeners with mounting anticipation.

— Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 4 Dec. 2024