averse

[ uh-vurs ]

adjective

1. having a strong feeling of opposition, antipathy, repugnance, etc.; opposed (often used in combination): Young Americans are more debt-averse than older generations.

   He is not averse to having a drink now and then.

   Young Americans are more debt-averse than older generations.

   Synonyms: loath, unwilling

   Antonyms: eager, inclined

averse

/ əˈvɜːs /

adjective

1. postpositiveusually foll byto opposed, disinclined, or loath
2. (of leaves, flowers, etc) turned away from the main stem Compare adverse

Confusables Note

See adverse.

Derived Forms

• aˈversely, adverb
• aˈverseness, noun

Other Words From

• a·versely adverb
• a·verseness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of averse¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin āversus “turned away, averted” (past participle of āvertere ), equivalent to ā-, prefix and preposition + vert- “turn” + -tus past participle suffix; a- ⁴

Word History and Origins

Origin of averse¹

C16: from Latin āversus, from āvertere to turn from, from vertere to turn

Synonym Study

See reluctant.

Example Sentences

“I’m naturally risk averse so it was a difficult decision for me,” Sherman said about the fourth-down gamble.

From Los Angeles Times

When I read up on the Bolton players, they all seemed like big, strong boys and were not averse to chucking their weight around.

From BBC

Langill is averse to displays loaded up with several baseballs, bats, caps and jerseys.

From Los Angeles Times

The statesman, who was famously averse to the idea of a cult of personality built around him, had stated in his will that he wanted his house to be demolished either after his death or after his daughter moved out of the home.

From BBC

While the Supreme Court will likely insist on its prerogative to apply its newly minted immunity doctrine to the evidence, some of Smith’s arguments turn on factual and contextual claims — for example, that Pence and Trump were dining as candidates rather than as officials — that the court is normally averse to reviewing.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• allergic
• antagonistic
• hesitant
• hostile
• loath
• reluctant
• unwilling