adverse
OTHER WORDS FOR adverse
Origin of adverse
synonym study for adverse
words often confused with adverse
OTHER WORDS FROM adverse
adĀ·verseĀ·ly, adverbadĀ·verseĀ·ness, noununĀ·adĀ·verse, adjectiveunĀ·adĀ·verseĀ·ness, nounWORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH adverse
adverse , averse (see usage note at the current entry)Words nearby adverse
ADVERSE VS. AVERSE
What's the difference betweenĀ adverse and averse?
Adverse most commonly means unfavorable or hostile, as in adverse conditions, adverse weather, or adverse criticism. Averse means strongly opposed to or having a feeling of strong dislike toward something, as in Iām extremely averse to taking on debt.
Averse is often used in negative constructions, as in We are not averse to negotiations. Itās also used in the term risk-averse, meaning reluctant to take risks or tending to avoid risk.
Confusion can arise between the two terms because both are adjectives that involve unfavorableness or opposition. However, adverse typically describes circumstances, while averse typically describes the way someone feels toward something.
One way to remember which word is which is to remember that adverse, in a very general sense, means bad, which rhymes with the first part of the word. On the other hand, when youāre averse to something, you have a very strong opposition to it.
It may also be helpful to remember that the noun form of adverse is adversity, which means hostile or unfavorable conditions. The noun form of averse is aversion, meaning a strong feeling of dislike or opposition.
Hereās an example of adverse and averse used correctly in a sentence.
Example: Iām not averse to taking risks for the sake of adventure, but I just donāt think itās safe to skydive in such adverse weather.
Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between adverse and averse.
Quiz yourself onĀ adverse vs.Ā averse!
Should adverse or averse be used in the following sentence?
The medication had some _____ effects.