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.
And David plays Lincoln’s nemesis, Stevie Nichols, the very successful former partner of Lincoln’s late mother, upon whom the son remains perversely fixated.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 20, 2026
Leavened by dark humor, “Blood Ties” is breathtaking in conception and execution, with a perversely pastoral finale.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 5, 2025
Aggrievement and isolation, perversely enough, became the glue that holds the community together.
From Salon ● Nov. 22, 2025
But perversely, Bird says, the regulatory focus on banks has led to even more money being lent against land, because it is perceived as safe.
From Slate ● Nov. 4, 2025
He delivered the news as if, perversely, it pleased him to be telling this.
From "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick
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.
