perversely
Americanadverb
-
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.
-
in an obstinate manner, rejecting what is right, good, or proper; wickedly or corruptly.
They perversely persist in the practice of torture.
Etymology
Origin of perversely
First recorded in 1500–20; perverse ( def. ) + -ly ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Perversely, the Department of Homeland Security publicly concedes this reality, citing in a Federal Register notification “widespread gang violence” as a reason for terminating temporary protected status.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 18, 2025
Perversely, “dead babies”—those who do not survive childbirth—are much cheaper in medical malpractice litigation that “damaged babies”—those who do survive but with traumatic injuries—especially in a state like Iowa with a cap on noneconomic damages.
From Slate • Apr. 24, 2025
Perversely, Yoon seemed untroubled by his party's election defeat.
From BBC • Apr. 3, 2025
Perversely, doctors who perform C-sections, a surgery that takes about 45 minutes, usually get paid more than those who patiently await vaginal birth, a process that can take hours or days.
From Scientific American • Jul. 21, 2023
Perversely sleep would try to come then when I did not want it; so, as I feared to be alone, I opened my door and called out: “Is there anybody there?”
From "Dracula" by Bram Stoker
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
