aversive

[ uh-vur-siv, -ziv ]

adjective

1. of or relating to aversion.
2. of or relating to aversive conditioning.

noun

1. a reprimand, punishment, or agent, used in aversive conditioning:

   Antabuse is a commonly used aversive in the treatment of alcoholism.

aversive

/ əˈvɜːsɪv /

adjective

1. tending to dissuade or repel

Derived Forms

• aˈversively, adverb

Other Words From

• a·versive·ly adverb
• a·versive·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of aversive¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; avers(ion) + -ive

Example Sentences

If we do not understand this emotion, then we are leaving its capability on the table by having this bizarrely aversive relationship with it.

From Time

When a panel of people smelled the collection T-shirts, panelists found the body odor of people whose immune systems had been activated by the endotoxin to be more aversive than normal body odor.

From Time

The take-home message is that if someone smells aversive, others may avoid being in close proximity, which is a pretty reasonable strategy for avoiding potential infections.

From Time

We procrastinate on tasks we find “difficult, unpleasant, aversive or just plain boring or stressful.”

From Washington Post

You feel this ripping apart psychologically and it’s incredibly corrosive and aversive.

From Freakonomics

That attitude has no doubt influenced whether these experiences are pleasurable or aversive.

From The Daily Beast

Here he found a most congenial orbit, for his tastes were aversive to the rough and tumble of political strife.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• aloof
• apathetic
• callous
• cruel
• disinterested
• indifferent
• insensitive
• lukewarm
• unconcerned
• unpleasant
• unresponsive