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 Words From

• ad·versa·tive·ly 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

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

From Project Gutenberg

Another example is, "Only the star dazzles; the planet has a faint, moon-like ray" (adversative).

From Project Gutenberg

They are sometimes adversative; sometimes they are simply cumulative.

From Project Gutenberg

The que here has a slight adversative force, as is often the case with et.

From Project Gutenberg

But the conjunction is often omitted in copulative and adversative clauses, as in Sec.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• antagonistic