adversative

American  

[ad-vur-suh-tiv] / ædˈvɜr sə tɪv /

adjective

1. expressing contrariety, opposition, or antithesis.

   “But” is an adversative conjunction.

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noun

1. an adversative word or proposition.

adversative British  

/ ədˈvɜːsətɪv /

adjective

1. (of a word, phrase, or clause) implying opposition or contrast. But and although are adversative conjunctions introducing adversative clauses

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noun

1. an adversative word or speech element

Other Word Forms

• adversatively adverb

Etymology

Origin of adversative

1525–35; < Late Latin adversātīvus, equivalent to adversāt ( us ) (past participle of adversārī to resist; adverse, -ate ¹ ) + -īvus -ive

Example Sentences

Companies that in the past had an adversative relationship with conservation groups have begun to take actions that are more than public relations.

From Time Magazine Archive

The word especially is used for a term of distinction, even in those places where the adversative but is not joined to it, as in Tit. i.

From The Divine Right of Church Government by Sundry Ministers Of Christ Within The City Of London by

But the conjunction is often omitted in copulative and adversative clauses, as in Sec.

From An English Grammar by Sewell, James Witt

Now, nothing, on the other hand, could be more adversative to this, than the conduct, temper, and principles of his brother and sister.

From The Evil Eye; Or, The Black Spector The Works of William Carleton, Volume One by Carleton, William

They accordingly emphasize the adversative idea, and are properly Subordinate Adversative Clauses.

From New Latin Grammar by Bennett, Charles E. (Charles Edwin)

Related Words

• antagonistic