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

Etymology

Origin of adversative

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

Example Sentences

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

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 Carleton, William

He is not their landlord, nor are they his tenants; and so far from their interests being in any way reciprocal, they are actually adversative.

From The Emigrants Of Ahadarra The Works of William Carleton, Volume Two by Carleton, William

The difficulty of preserving the effect of the Greek is increased by the want of adversative and inferential particles in English, and by the nice sense of tautology which characterizes all modern languages.

From Charmides by Jowett, Benjamin

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 Carleton, William

Related Words

• antagonistic