adjective
perverse
Contrary to what is reasonable or intended.
She takes a perverse delight in rejecting perfectly reasonable suggestions.
Etymology
Latin perversus means turned the wrong way. Behavior or results are perverse when they turn away from the expected or reasonable direction.
More examples
- His perverse refusal to ask for directions makes us late.
- The policy has the perverse effect of discouraging honest reporting.
- These bonuses create a perverse incentive to rush through safety checks.
Forms
perverse · more perverse · most perverse
perversely adverb — In a deliberately contrary or unreasonable way.
perversity noun — The tendency to oppose what is reasonable.