perverse

[per-vurs] / pərˈvɜrs /

ADJECTIVE

mean, ornery; troublesome

Synonyms

STRONGEST

contradictory wicked

WEAK

abnormal bad-tempered cantankerous capricious contrary contumacious corrupt crabby cross degenerate delinquent depraved deviant disobedient dogged erring fractious hard-nosed headstrong intractable intransigent irritable miscreant mulish nefarious obdurate obstinate petulant pigheaded rebellious refractory rotten self-willed spiteful stubborn unhealthy unmanageable unreasonable unyielding villainous wayward willful

Antonyms

WEAK

agreeable compliant happy nice reasonable willing

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

This may be the most perverse incentive of the U.S. tort system.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026

The perverse reality is that the court’s use of history in Callais couldn’t be more backward.

From Slate • May 5, 2026

It said the low level of the standard benefit "creates a logical – but perverse - incentive for people to claim the health element too".

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

“Disconnect from every algorithm / Every perverse incentive / That drags you down,” from the comparatively loose and casual title track, is another example.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

At first glance the Babylonian system seems perverse.

From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife

Vocabulary lists containing perverse

Romeo and Juliet

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The Balcony Scene from "Romeo and Juliet"

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"Marigolds"

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