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

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."

From Project Gutenberg

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.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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 Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• antagonistic