perverse
adjective
per·verse
(ˌ)pər-ˈvərs 
ˈpər-ˌvərs
1
2
a
: obstinate in opposing what is right, reasonable, or accepted : wrongheaded
b
: arising from or indicative of stubbornness or obstinacy
3
: marked by peevishness or petulance : cranky
4
: marked by perversion
Examples of perverse in a Sentence
their perverse cruelty to animals
She has a perverse fascination with death.
He seems to take perverse pleasure in making things as difficult as possible.
His friends all enjoy his perverse sense of humor.
Is this some kind of perverse joke?
Recent Examples on the Web
Thompson said during the hearing that his actions were selfish, perverse and wrong.
—
Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 July 2025
The false narrative of a genocide of white people in South Africa is thus truly perverse; the murders of whites are the visible crust under which lies a veritable carnage of young Black men.
—Jonny Steinberg, Time, 22 May 2025
The film also examines the SS’s perverse relationship with music — forcing prisoners to perform for their entertainment and accompany slave laborers, turning art into another form of torture.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 May 2025
Indeed, there's a perverse comfort in watching Always Sunny.
—Dennis Perkins, EW.com, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for perverse
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Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 July 2025
The false narrative of a genocide of white people in South Africa is thus truly perverse; the murders of whites are the visible crust under which lies a veritable carnage of young Black men.
—Jonny Steinberg, Time, 22 May 2025
The film also examines the SS’s perverse relationship with music — forcing prisoners to perform for their entertainment and accompany slave laborers, turning art into another form of torture.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 May 2025
Indeed, there's a perverse comfort in watching Always Sunny.
—Dennis Perkins, EW.com, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for perverse
Cite this Entry
“Perverse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perverse. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
perverse
adjective
per·verse
(ˌ)pər-ˈvərs
ˈpər-ˌvərs
1
: morally bad : corrupt
2
: stubborn in opposing what is right, reasonable, or accepted : wrongheaded
4
: marked by perversion : perverted
perversely
adverb
perverseness
noun
Medical Definition
perverse
adjective
per·verse
pər-ˈvərs
: being, relating to, or characterized by perversion
perverse sexual behavior
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