好词典

perverse

UK //pəˈvɜːs//US //pərˈvɜːrs//

词源

源自拉丁语 'perversus',意为'转向错误方向',由 per-'(完全)+ vertere(转向)组成。14世纪通过古法语进入英语。

adjective

❶ 指故意违背常理或故意做错事的行为,常带有固执或故意唱反调的意味。

“He took a perverse pleasure in upsetting his parents.”

(他以惹恼父母为乐,这种快乐显得反常。)

“Her perverse refusal to follow instructions caused the project to fail.”

(她故意不听从指示,导致项目失败。)

❶ 指事物或情况违反正常逻辑或预期,显得不合理或荒谬。

“The perverse outcome of the policy was higher unemployment.”

(这项政策带来的荒谬结果是失业率上升了。)

“It's perverse that the richest pay the least taxes.”

(最富有的人缴税最少,这很不合理。)

同义词:contrary, wayward, stubborn, illogical, irrational

常见短语

perverse incentive — 指因制度设计不当而意外鼓励不良行为的激励机制。

“The bonus system created a perverse incentive for managers to cut corners.”

(奖金制度意外地激励了经理们偷工减料。)