PERVERSENESS Synonyms: 94 Similar and Opposite Words

perverseness

noun

Definition of perverseness

as in irritability

readiness to show annoyance or impatience the kind of perverseness that makes you want to snap at anyone who makes the mistake of greeting you

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for perverseness

Noun

When the effects of caffeine wear off, people can experience headaches, irritability and tiredness.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
Heart attacks and strokes occur disproportionately following rejections, and rejected individuals often show symptoms that are typically associated with drug withdrawal, including anxiety, depression, crying, loss of appetite, and irritability.

— George Loewenstein, Vogue, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of irritability

Noun

Its practice of permitting construction projects at the same time in adjoining areas, causing the most inconvenience to vehicular traffic, wins the award for most perversity.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026
The movie is essentially an old-fashioned story of one lad’s sentimental education, spiced up with NSFW perversity.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 30 July 2026

Definition of perversity

Noun

Trump and Lee must restore deterrence, not reward Kim’s aggression, to avoid strategic and economic calamity.

— Dan Blumenthal, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
The aggression paid off as Kansas converted five fourth downs while improving to 3-4 overall and 1-3 in the Big 12.

— Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of aggression

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.

Browse Nearby Words

perverse

perverseness

perversion

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

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Synonyms of perverseness

noun

Example Sentences

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