adversative

[ad-vur-suh-tiv]

adjective

1. expressing contrariety, opposition, or antithesis.

   “But” is an adversative conjunction.

noun

1. an adversative word or proposition.

adversative

/ ədˈvɜːsətɪv /

adjective

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

noun

1. an adversative word or speech element

Other Word Forms

• adversatively adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of adversative¹

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

Example Sentences

Virginia had argued that its “adversative” method of educating young men to be citizen-soldiers through a physically challenging curriculum was unsuited for young women.

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We are made to sympathize with his terrible anguish, as the logic of his remorse-throbbing conscience leads him to the bitter adversative: "But 'tis too late—all hope is past."

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Hence it only remains to ascribe the judgment to him as the causa principalis.—If the three angels were equals, it would be impossible to explain the adversative clause in chap. xviii.

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The common relations between sentences indicated by conjunctions are coördinative, subordinative, adversative, concessive, and illative.

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

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Related Words

• antagonistic