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

So maybe it’s perversely apt that the Broadway revival of the musical “Chess” should feel eye-glazingly interminable, despite a cast of thrillingly good singers in top form.

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Most perversely, several U.N. bodies have tried to steer the International Criminal Court, touted inaccurately by its advocates as descending from the Nuremberg war-crimes tribunal, to focus on Israel.

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The 60-year-old said he felt "perversely lucky" since the parents involved had passed away, sparing him "difficult conversations".

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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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