aversion
Americannoun
-
a strong feeling of dislike, opposition, repugnance, or antipathy (usually followed byto ).
a strong aversion to snakes and spiders.
- Synonyms:
- disgust, abhorrence, distaste
- Antonyms:
- predilection
-
a cause or object of dislike; person or thing that causes antipathy.
His pet aversion is guests who are always late.
-
Obsolete. the act of averting; a turning away or preventing.
noun
-
extreme dislike or disinclination; repugnance
-
a person or thing that arouses this
he is my pet aversion
Related Words
Aversion, antipathy, loathing connote strong dislike or detestation. Aversion is an unreasoning desire to avoid that which displeases, annoys, or offends: an aversion to (or toward ) cats. Antipathy is a distaste, dislike, or disgust toward something: an antipathy toward (or for ) braggarts. Loathing connotes a combination of hatred and disgust, or detestation: a loathing for (or toward ) hypocrisy, a criminal.
Etymology
Origin of aversion
First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin āversiōn-, stem of āversiō; equivalent to averse + -ion
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.
The difficult topography, a local aversion to so-called “gunboat” diplomacy, and corrupt political regimes have been among foreign firms’ many obstacles.
From Barron's
The difficult topography, a local aversion to so-called “gunboat” diplomacy, and corrupt political regimes have been among foreign firms’ many obstacles.
From Barron's
Mark Penn, CEO of ad firm Stagwell, said brands’ aversion to advertising alongside hard news writ large is beginning to thaw.
Fortunately, Mr. Bailey’s overall message isn’t nearly so convoluted: Approach your daily activities with purpose, considering ways to maximize your desire and minimize your aversion.
One gets the hang of a cane right away, evidently, and in no time my stance had shifted from aversion to fascination.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
