aversion

[uh-vur-zhuhn, -shuhn]

noun

1. 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

2. a cause or object of dislike; person or thing that causes antipathy.

   His pet aversion is guests who are always late.

3. Obsolete.,  the act of averting; a turning away or preventing.

aversion

/ əˈvɜːʃən /

noun

1. extreme dislike or disinclination; repugnance

2. a person or thing that arouses this

   he is my pet aversion

Word History and Origins

Origin of aversion¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin āversiōn-, stem of āversiō; equivalent to averse + -ion

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

It’s a shame Hong Kong has developed an aversion to this sunlight, but investor beware.

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In ‘Critique of Judgment,’ Immanuel Kant argues that taste—the discerning appreciation of the beautiful and good—requires the critic to remain disinterested, unmoved by their own feelings of delight or aversion.

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Another reason is rooted in what psychologists call loss aversion.

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Many of James’s business deals generally show his aversion to risking money.

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And you also have to divide by your personal degree of risk aversion, because each person can tolerate a different amount of risk.

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Related Words

• allergy 
• animosity 
• antagonism 
• antipathy 
• dislike 
• dissatisfaction 
• distaste 
• hostility 
• loathing 
• opposition 
• reluctance 
• revulsion 
• unwillingness www.thesaurus.com