adversative

American  

[ad-vur-suh-tiv] / ædˈvɜr sə tɪv /

adjective

1. expressing contrariety, opposition, or antithesis.

   “But” is an adversative conjunction.

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noun

1. an adversative word or proposition.

adversative British  

/ ədˈvɜːsətɪv /

adjective

1. (of a word, phrase, or clause) implying opposition or contrast. But and although are adversative conjunctions introducing adversative clauses

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noun

1. an adversative word or speech element

Other Word Forms

• adversatively
  adverb

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Etymology

Origin of adversative

1525–35; < Late Latin adversātīvus, equivalent to adversāt ( us ) (past participle of adversārī to resist; see adverse, -ate ¹) + -īvus -ive

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

adversative

Ginsburg explicitly said it “may be assumed” that most women did not want to go through the adversative model of VMI.

From Slate ● Jun. 30, 2026

Companies that in the past had an adversative relationship with conservation groups have begun to take actions that are more than public relations.

From Time Magazine Archive

And if in volunteering him directions how to proceed, she had any purpose adversative to his, her note was without meaning.

From The Black Baronet; or, The Chronicles Of Ballytrain The Works of William Carleton, Volume One by William Carleton

Without the adversative, the colon is to be preferred: "Prosperity showeth vice: adversity, virtue."

From The Verbalist A Manual Devoted to Brief Discussions of the Right and the Wrong Use of Words and to Some Other Matters of Interest to Those Who Would Speak and Write with Propriety. by Thomas Embly Osmun

Now, nothing, on the other hand, could be more adversative to this, than the conduct, temper, and principles of his brother and sister.

From The Evil Eye; Or, The Black Spector The Works of William Carleton, Volume One by William Carleton

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Related Words

• antagonistic

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