Basic Details
Word: Perversity
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: A quality of being stubbornly wrong or opposing what is right; a tendency to behave in an unreasonable or contrary way.
Synonyms: Contrariness, obstinacy, wickedness
Antonyms: Compliance, agreeableness, righteousness
Idioms and Phrases
- For reasons of perversity: Acting in a way that is intentionally contrary to what is expected or desired. Example: "He decided to wear sandals in the snow for reasons of perversity."
- The perverse nature: Referring to someone who consistently acts against what is normal or expected. Example: "Her perverse nature often led her to challenge the rules."
Usage Examples
Example 1: Despite everyones advice, his perversity led him to take the most difficult route home.
Example 2: The childs perversity showed when he refused to eat his favourite dessert just to annoy his parents.
Example 3: There was a sense of perversity in her choice to defend the worst option during the debate.
Fun Fact
The word perversity comes from the Latin word perversus, meaning turned away from the right path. Its historical use emphasises a deliberate deviation from what is considered normal or expected.
Famous Quote
"The road to hell is paved with good intentions." - Saint Bernard of Clairvaux. This quote relates to perversity, suggesting that even well-meaning actions can lead to unexpected or contrary outcomes.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "perversity" mean?
a) A quality of being virtuous
b) A quality of being stubbornly wrong
c) A way of being friendly
d) A feeling of happiness
Answer: b) A quality of being stubbornly wrong
2. Which of these is a synonym of "perversity"?
a) Kindness
b) Compliance
c) Contrariness
d) Agreement
Answer: c) Contrariness
3. What is the antonym of "perversity"?
a) Righteousness
b) Perversity
c) Mischief
d) Injustice
Answer: a) Righteousness
4. Which sentence uses "perversity" correctly?
a) His perversity helped him make wise decisions.
b) She showed her perversity by following rules strictly.
c) Their perversity was evident in their illogical choices.
d) The flowers bloomed in the spring with great perversity.
Answer: c) Their perversity was evident in their illogical choices.
5. Which idiom relates to the idea of "perversity"?
a) For reasons of perversity
b) Every cloud has a silver lining
c) A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
d) All bark and no bite
Answer: a) For reasons of perversity
