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

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 adamant

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 The laws constrained the United States from selling weapons to any government actively engaged in war—an appealing idea, perhaps, but one with perverse effects. — Beverly Gage, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026 He’s crafted a propulsive, simultaneously terrifying and hilarious thrill ride that showcases both his cinematic chops and perverse sense of humor. — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026 Anyone who stands in front of De Kooning’s urgent, sensuously greedy drawings, with their writhing contours, cacophonous colors, and perverse processes, can feel the force of that craving. — Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2026 After all, there’s a perverse thrill in watching characters act on selfish impulses, torment a goody-two-shoes, and go a little mad with power. — Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for perverse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for perverse

Adjective

Murray says her own experience has made her more understanding when female colleagues seem more tired or irritable than usual, particularly when the behavior is out of character.

— Jo Ann Liguori, Flow Space, 21 Oct. 2026
Could be because for much of the running time, Abrams’ Jay Gardiner is up against what looks like a very large irritable sphincter.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of irritable

Adjective

Meanwhile, Democrats are strongly opposed to the kind of corrupt authoritarian government that Republicans seem unwilling to even speak out against.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
The policy aims to make cadres more disciplined, effective and less corrupt.

— KANIS LEUNG, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of corrupt

Adjective

Seems unlikely that Kiffin would be adamant that the Big Ten's nine-game conference schedule is dragging down their results.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
And Ballmer and the Clippers remain adamant the penalties—and the allegations of misconduct—are incorrect.

— Joshua Hong, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of adamant

Adjective

Her colleagues voted twice last year to censure her for inappropriate criticism of city employees.

— Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Specifically, Pickard said his understanding of the immunity deal is that his testimony about adultery and an inappropriate relationship cannot be used against him as part of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

— Matt Schooley, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of inappropriate

Adjective

Hundreds of people in Toledo, Ohio, remain evacuated from their homes as officials work to resolve a fiery chemical leak that began Tuesday.

— Lana Zak, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Here was the humble trade unionist, born into extreme poverty, standing up as a fiery-eyed tribune of the workers.

— Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of fiery

Adjective

Design choices previously thought to boost power, such as widening the gap between electrodes, actually degraded performance under true operating conditions.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 8 Oct. 2026
Initially, Pike’s attorneys and several death penalty experts raised the possibility that the drugs may have been too old or degraded to work as intended.

— Keri Blakinger, ProPublica, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of degraded

Adjective

An honor that seems to bring things full circle for that stubborn little girl who dreamed of performing on stages around the world from her farm.

— Ilaria Perrotta, Vanity Fair, 24 Oct. 2026
How To Remove Leaf Stains With Chlorine Bleach Bleach is very effective at removing stubborn leaf stains, along with mildew and moss.

— Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of stubborn

Browse Nearby Words

pervasive

perverse

perverseness

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Perverse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perverse. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of perverse

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

grotesque

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes