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 performance is daringly weird, perverse and outlandish, seductively charming, and, for all the flamboyance, Curry never veers out of control, never takes it too far. — Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026 Curry’s pure, perverse joy on-screen was always a welcome escape. — Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 26 Aug. 2026 And the sheer number of policies obliterated any perverse incentives on killing one policyholder to get their return marginally sooner. — Vito Emanuel, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026 The perverse incentive to create wildfires isn’t the only problem. — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for perverse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for perverse

Adjective

The product immediately calmed down my irritable, rosacea-prone skin while delivering intense hydration that lasted all day.

— Gina Vaynshteyn, StyleCaster, 31 Aug. 2026
How skipping breakfast affects kids at school Nemours KidsHealth reports that kids who miss the morning meal often feel tired, restless or irritable by midmorning.

— Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of irritable

Adjective

And Alice’s superior, FBI agent Nora Washington (Quincy Tyler Bernstine), realizes that her corrupt boss Ed George (Danny McCarthy), who was covering up Easton’s crimes, will retain his ASAC position at the FBI.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
That strategy allowed the Kremlin to publicly deny the existence of political repression while portraying the opposition as inherently corrupt.

— Andrei Soldatov, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of corrupt

Adjective

Justice Department attorneys have argued that a restraining order would be inappropriate and that the legal challenge was premature, as federal agencies had yet to issue public guidance on how the president's directive would be implemented.

— Kristina Cooke, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
The morality police, which are often accused of extreme policies, recently announced a statewide ban in Sokoto on the use of DJs at events, as well as inappropriate haircuts, extravagant bridal gifts and playing music on public transport.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of inappropriate

Adjective

Jeffries, a cautious Brooklynite poised to become speaker, must juggle fiery progressives, restive moderates and backlash over a Jared Kushner meeting while preaching Pelosi-style discipline and teamwork.

— Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
The Clippers released a fiery statement slamming the findings, though the team has little recourse to appeal.

— Chris Branch, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of fiery

Adjective

Energy analysts have consistently cautioned that raising Venezuelan output meaningfully will take years and billions of dollars in repairs to degraded infrastructure.

— Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026
That matters because degraded land is not simply an environmental concern.

— Shooka Bidarian, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of degraded

Adjective

The tactic is especially prevalent among the department’s elite Metropolitan Division and anti-gang units, several of which have come under investigation in recent years for failing to document the stops and improper searches.

— Hailey Wang, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Green curry, red curry and peanut sauce had to be thrown out as they were improperly stored and held at improper temperatures.

— Joseph Hernandez August 31, Kansas City Star, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of improper

Browse Nearby Words

pervasive

perverse

perverseness

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“Perverse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perverse. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of perverse

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