averse

[ uh-vurs ]

adjective

1. having a strong feeling of opposition, antipathy, repugnance, etc.; opposed (often used in combination): Young Americans are more debt-averse than older generations.

   He is not averse to having a drink now and then.

   Young Americans are more debt-averse than older generations.

   Synonyms: loath, unwilling

   Antonyms: eager, inclined

averse

/ əˈvɜːs /

adjective

1. postpositiveusually foll byto opposed, disinclined, or loath
2. See adverse
   (of leaves, flowers, etc) turned away from the main stem Compare adverse

Confusables Note

See adverse.

Derived Forms

• aˈversely, adverb
• aˈverseness, noun

Other Words From

• a·versely adverb
• a·verseness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of averse¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin āversus “turned away, averted” (past participle of āvertere ), equivalent to ā-, prefix and preposition + vert- “turn” + -tus past participle suffix; a- ⁴

Word History and Origins

Origin of averse¹

C16: from Latin āversus, from āvertere to turn from, from vertere to turn

Synonym Study

See reluctant.

Example Sentences

Ambassador Shirley Temple Black attributed this to the “deeply risk-averse psychology of the Czech people.”

From The Daily Beast

So why, in 2014, is the superhero standard-bearer so minority-averse?

From The Daily Beast

And self-regulation is an important concept when it comes to understanding the government-averse sharing economy.

From The Daily Beast

Yet an answer, or even a speculation, would have added insight and originality to this terrific but risk-averse debut.

From The Daily Beast

Improvising can certainly be unnerving, especially for politicians who are trained to be risk-averse.

From The Daily Beast

This may have been maternal partiality, for whilst a mere child, she was somewhat obstinate in disposition, and averse to study.

From Project Gutenberg

In the course of a few days the minister visited the kitchen again, and found Chloe still averse to his proposition.

From Project Gutenberg

He was, therefore, averse to putting the question on such narrow grounds.

From Project Gutenberg

He was averse to costly pleasures, and regarded contentedness with a little to be a great good.

From Project Gutenberg

The doubter seemed averse to giving this proof of unbelief, and yet it was clear that he was not convinced.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• allergic
• antagonistic
• hesitant
• hostile
• loath
• reluctant
• unwilling