SYNONYMS AND RELATED EXPRESSIONS
perverse
adjective
Deliberately contrary to what is expected or reasonable; also contrary in an unexpected way.
Local English device voice, when available. This is not a recorded dictionary pronunciation.
Deliberately contrary
Closest synonyms
Related words and expressions
These extend or explain the idea and may require a different sentence structure.
Usage distinction
Return to topPerverse often implies resisting what is reasonable precisely because it is expected; independent judgment need not be perverse.
Contrary to an expected result
Closest synonyms
Related words and expressions
These extend or explain the idea and may require a different sentence structure.
Usage distinction
Return to topA perverse result runs against what is expected or considered reasonable without necessarily being intended. Counterproductive specifically defeats an aim; unintended alone does not establish a contrary effect.
CHECK THE MEANING IN CONTEXT
See perverse in use
The character takes a perverse pleasure in rejecting advice merely because it is sensible.
A perverse reward rule offered the highest marks to reports admitting the fewest problems, encouraging concealment rather than accurate correction.
Compare an alternative with the original word in each passage. Shared meanings do not make every pair interchangeable.
Synonym reference scope and sources
The groups distinguish the senses selected for this study entry. Closest synonyms and broader related expressions have separate labels. The listed sources support lexical selection; not every phrase is a direct quotation from a source.
- Princeton WordNet 3.0: selected lexical senses
- Merriam-Webster: perverse
- Cambridge Dictionary: perverse
How the synonym reference was prepared / WordNet 3.0 license