Perverse.
Synonyms:
| contrary, | froward, | petulant, | untoward, |
| factious, | intractable, | stubborn, | wayward, |
| fractious, | obstinate, | ungovernable, | wilful. |
Perverse (L. perversus, turned the wrong way) signifies wilfully wrong or erring, unreasonably set against right, reason, or authority. The stubborn or obstinate person will not do what another desires or requires; the perverse person will do anything contrary to what is desired or required of him. The petulant person frets, but may comply; the perverse individual may be smooth or silent, but is wilfully intractable. Wayward refers to a perverse disregard of morality and duty; froward is practically obsolete; untoward is rarely heard except in certain phrases; as, untoward circumstances. Compare OBSTINATE.
Antonyms:
| accommodating, | complaisant, | genial, | kind, |
| amenable, | compliant, | governable, | obliging. |