perversely

[per-vurs-lee]

adverb

1. in a willful manner that goes counter to what is expected or desired; contrarily.

   She clung perversely to beliefs and behavior that would confound her parents for years.

2. in an obstinate manner, rejecting what is right, good, or proper; wickedly or corruptly.

   They perversely persist in the practice of torture.

Word History and Origins

Origin of perversely¹

First recorded in 1500–20; perverse ( def. ) + -ly ( def. )

Example Sentences

They were followed perversely by torrential rains in 1861, which drowned hundreds of head.

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He said that, perversely, finding the money was the easy part.

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Trim and perversely puppyish, the character doesn’t let age keep him down for long.

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It’s worth noting, perversely, that Moore’s Elisabeth Sparkle is supposed to be an Oscar winner.

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But one need look no further than the perversely disparate treatment of two federal judges to appreciate the urgent need for reform.

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