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 to be fair to them, voters perversely reward this kind of behavior.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026
She’s taken, perversely, with John the Baptist, imprisoned in a cistern and prophesying doom for the decadent, Godless heathens, Salome in particular.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 27, 2026
As the season goes on, the list of reasons for “How’s That?!” to faceplant rivals the length of a CVS receipt; perversely, the odds that it’ll be a hit improve.
From Salon ● Mar. 26, 2026
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.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 17, 2025
The age differences in the family always seemed to add unnecessarily and perversely to our problems.
From "Franny and Zooey" by J. D. Salinger
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
