What is the meaning of perverse?

adjective

  • Marked by a disposition to oppose and contradict.
    • usage: "took perverse satisfaction in foiling her plans"
  • Resistant to guidance or discipline.
    • usage: "Mary Mary quite contrary"; "an obstinate child with a violent temper"; "a perverse mood"; "wayward behavior"
  • Deviating from what is considered moral or right or proper or good.
    • usage: "depraved criminals"; "a perverted sense of loyalty"; "the reprobate conduct of a gambling aristocrat"
WordNet 3.0 © 2006 by Princeton University
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APAWordNet. (2010). perverse. Retrieved September 20, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/perverse/definitions/1180657
ChicagoWordNet. 2010. "perverse" http://smartdefine.org/perverse/definitions/1180657 (accessed September 20, 2026).
HarvardWordNet 2010, perverse, Smart Define, viewed 20 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/perverse/definitions/1180657>.
MLAWordNet. "perverse" 23 October 2010. Web. 20 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/perverse/definitions/1180657>
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