perverse

[ per-vurs ]
/ pərˈvɜrs /

adjective

willfully determined or disposed to go counter to what is expected or desired; contrary.
characterized by or proceeding from such a determination or disposition: a perverse mood.
wayward or cantankerous.
persistent or obstinate in what is wrong.
turned away from or rejecting what is right, good, or proper; wicked or corrupt.

Origin of perverse

1325–75; Middle English < Latin perversus facing the wrong way, askew, orig. past participle of pervertere. See pervert

OTHER WORDS FROM perverse

Example sentences from the Web for perverse

British Dictionary definitions for perverse

perverse
/ (pəˈvɜːs) /

adjective

deliberately deviating from what is regarded as normal, good, or proper
persistently holding to what is wrong
wayward or contrary; obstinate; cantankerous
archaic perverted

Derived forms of perverse

perversely, adverb perverseness, noun

Word Origin for perverse

C14: from Old French pervers, from Latin perversus turned the wrong way