Adverse
WordNet

adjective


(1)   In an opposing direction
"Adverse currents"
"A contrary wind"
(2)   Contrary to your interests or welfare
"Adverse circumstances"
"Made a place for themselves under the most untoward conditions"
WiktionaryText

Etymology


C.1374, from avers (French: adverse), from , past participle of , from + . See also .

Adjective



  1. Unfavorable; antagonistic in purpose or effect; hostile; actively opposing one's interests or wishes; contrary to one's welfare; acting against; working in an opposing direction.
    adverse criticism
  2. Opposed; contrary; opposing one's interests or desire.
    adverse circumstances.
  3. Opposite; confronting.
    the adverse page
    the adverse party
    Calpe's adverse height / […] must greet my sight

Usage notes


Adverse is sometimes confused with , though the meanings are somewhat different. Adverse most often refers to things, denoting something that is in opposition to someone's interests — something one might refer to as an or — (adverse winds; an attitude adverse to our ideals). Averse usually refers to people, and implies one has a distaste, disinclination, or toward something (a leader averse to war; an investor averse to risk taking). Averse is most often used with "to" in a construction like "I am averse to…". Adverse shows up less often in this type of construction, describing a person instead of a thing, and should carry a meaning of "actively opposed to" rather that "has an aversion to".
 
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