perverse

[per-vurs]

adjective

1. willfully determined or disposed to go counter to what is expected or desired; contrary.

   Synonyms: disobedient, contumacious
   Antonyms: agreeable

2. characterized by or proceeding from such a determination or disposition.

   a perverse mood.

3. wayward or cantankerous.

4. persistent or obstinate in what is wrong.

   Synonyms: headstrong, stubborn
   Antonyms: tractable

5. turned away from or rejecting what is right, good, or proper; wicked or corrupt.

   Synonyms: sinful, bad, evil

perverse

/ pəˈvɜːs /

adjective

1. deliberately deviating from what is regarded as normal, good, or proper

2. persistently holding to what is wrong

3. wayward or contrary; obstinate; cantankerous

4. archaic,  perverted

Other Word Forms

• perversely adverb
• perverseness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of perverse¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, Middle French pervers, “wicked, unnatural,” from Latin perversus “facing the wrong way, askew,” past participle of pervertere “to turn around, overturn”; pervert

Word History and Origins

Origin of perverse¹

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

Synonym Study

See willful.

Example Sentences

Rather, it is likely a combination of perverse incentives and suboptimal policies.

Read more on Barron's

Reed highlighted the "perverse incentives" in the current system, which he said were encouraging families to cross the Channel in small boats.

Read more on BBC

Ministers say the current system creates a "perverse incentive" to remain in the UK without status.

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During the 1920s and ’30s, nonlinear narratives of this nature would come to be seen as models of the modern mind: a dark, unknowable place riddled with unconscious desires and perverse complexes.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

PBMs have perverse incentives to discriminate against the sick in favor of the healthy.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• contradictory 
• wicked