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adversely

American  
[ad-vurs-lee] / ædˈvɜrs li /

adverb

  1. in a negative, contrary, or unfavorable way or direction.

    The report details eleven risk factors that the authors believe adversely affect children's development and well-being.


Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Etymology

Origin of adversely

adverse ( def. ) + -ly

Explanation

When something affects you adversely, it's harmful or negative. Holding a cinder block will adversely affect your running speed. When you talk about things that are acting adversely, they are harming something or holding it back in some way. Not getting enough sleep will adversely affect your performance in school. Rain will adversely affect an outdoor wedding. Anything that's making things worse instead of better is adversely influencing the situation. Adversely means something close to badly or harmfully. So when you see this word, you know something is going wrong.

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Vocabulary lists containing adversely

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Adversely affected by the high-pressure tactics that it had employed in the Haynsworth fight, the Administration countered with subtle moves.

From Time Magazine Archive

Adversely compared the American command in Berlin with Soviet forces there.

From Time Magazine Archive

Adversely on bill for the relief of J. W. Eppes.

From United States Government Publications, v. 8 Jan-Jun 1892 A Monthly Catalog by Compiled

The Healing Cults Likely to be Adversely Influenced by the Scientific Organisation of Psycho-therapy As far as the fortunes of the distinctive cults themselves go, one's conclusions may be less tentative.

From Modern Religious Cults and Movements by Atkins, Gaius Glenn

Adversely on bill for the relief of S. G. Mitchell and E. J. Mahon.

From United States Government Publications, v. 8 Jan-Jun 1892 A Monthly Catalog by Compiled

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