Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • In a perverse manner; stubbornly; with intent to vex; crossly; peevishly.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adverb In a perverse manner.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adverb In a perverse manner.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adverb deliberately deviant
  • adverb in a contrary disobedient manner

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

perverse +‎ -ly

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Examples

  • GOD hath most excellent names; x therefore call on him by the same; and withdraw from those who use his name perversely: y they shall be rewarded for that which they shall have wrought.

    The Koran (Al-Qur'an) George Sale 1716

  • In some ways, our insistence on painting a batterer in black and white terms perversely blames the victim.

    Forgiving Chris Brown - The Lede Blog - NYTimes.com 2009

  • In some ways, our insistence on painting a batterer in black and white terms perversely blames the victim.

    Forgiving Chris Brown - The Lede Blog - NYTimes.com 2009

  • "I say 'perversely' because so many ISPs larger than Exetel and who presumably buy at much better rates than Exetel seem to think it's the end of the world since Telstra Retail announced their new ADSL2 plans."

    iTnews Australia 2010

  • Cruelty "perversely" gives sympathy to the terrorists, Mora said, adding that it lessened the contrast between the United States and its enemies.

    mndaily.com - all articles kcashman@mndaily.com 2010

  • Chapter 3, "Perverse Outcomes" covers situations where people make rational choices intending for a certain outcome, but 'perversely' end up with results that are the opposite of what they are aiming for.

    Crawl Across the Ocean 2009

  • I’ve been watching Gordon Ramsay’s ridiculous show “Kitchen Nightmares” on Fox for the last three weeks, and I really must admit, it’s the most deliberately pre-planned, same-thing-every-time reality show I’ve ever seen to the point where I actually kind of perversely enjoy it.

    Every Episode of “Kitchen Nightmares” In One Convenient Blog Post | Best Week Ever 2007

  • Who else but HBO could truly do justice to an unexpurgated concert special showcasing the Madonna of the new millennium: the protean and prolific and perversely unpredictable Lady Gaga.

    Matt's Weekend Picks: May 6-8 2011

  • That's what you think, she says, the corner of her mouth perversely upturned.

    The Investigator Marc Lowe 2011

  • As often happens in chase narratives, I found myself thinking like the fugitive and perversely rooting for him to get away.

    Manhunt Tales To Track Down Hampton Sides 2011

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