Adverse vs. Averse: What's the Difference?
Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Published on November 20, 2023
Adverse refers to unfavorable or harmful conditions or effects; Averse denotes a strong dislike or reluctance towards something.
Key Differences
Adverse and Averse, while sounding similar and sometimes confused in use, hold distinct meanings in the English language. Adverse typically refers to conditions, situations, or effects that are unfavorable or harmful. It can be used to describe events, conditions, or outcomes that are contrary to one's hopes or well-being. On the other hand, Averse is used to express a strong dislike or reluctance towards something, often describing personal feelings or inclinations.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 20, 2023
In contexts like medicine or environmental studies, one might encounter the term 'adverse effects' or 'adverse conditions', suggesting detrimental or unfavorable outcomes. A drug might have adverse side effects, or a region might experience adverse weather conditions. Averse, in its contextual usage, is more personal. For instance, a person might be averse to trying spicy foods or averse to taking risks, indicating a personal disinclination or reluctance.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 20, 2023
Adverse is often used to describe situations that pose challenges or create unfavorable circumstances. For instance, a company might face adverse market conditions that affect its profits. Averse, in contrast, typically follows with "to" and denotes a sentiment or disposition. Someone might be averse to change, suggesting a resistance or hesitation towards new situations or alterations.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 20, 2023
A simple way to differentiate is to remember that adverse often relates to external circumstances that are detrimental, while averse pertains to internal feelings of dislike or reluctance. An adverse event doesn't necessarily mean people involved are averse to it, and someone being averse doesn't indicate the presence of an adverse situation.
Janet White
Nov 20, 2023
Comparison Chart
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Typical Usage
Adverse effects, adverse weather.
Averse to change, averse to risk.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 20, 2023
Adverse and Averse Definitions
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Adverse
Unfavorable or negative.
The team faced adverse conditions during their expedition.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 27, 2023
Adverse
Hostile or antagonistic.
They received adverse criticism for their performance.
Harlon Moss
Oct 27, 2023
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Averse
Opposed in feeling or sentiment.
The community was averse to the new policy.
Sara Rehman
Oct 27, 2023
Adverse
Contrary or opposing.
His decisions had an adverse impact on the project.
Harlon Moss
Oct 27, 2023
Averse
Feeling hesitation or reluctance.
He was averse to making a hasty decision.
Janet White
Oct 27, 2023
Averse
Having a feeling of opposition, distaste, or aversion; strongly disinclined
Investors who are averse to taking risks.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Adverse
Contrary to one's interests or welfare; harmful or unfavorable
Adverse circumstances.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Adverse
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
Adverse weather
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Adverse
Opposed; contrary; opposing one's interests or desire.
Adverse circumstances
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Adverse
(not comparable) Opposite; confronting.
The adverse page
The adverse party
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Adverse
Acting against, or in a contrary direction; opposed; contrary; opposite; conflicting; as, adverse winds; an adverse party; a spirit adverse to distinctions of caste.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Averse
Turned away or backward.
The tracks averse a lying notice gave,And led the searcher backward from the cave.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Averse
Having a repugnance or opposition of mind; disliking; disinclined; unwilling; reluctant.
Averse alike to flatter, or offend.
Men who were averse to the life of camps.
Pass by securely as men averse from war.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Adverse
In hostile opposition to; unfavorable; unpropitious; contrary to one's wishes; unfortunate; calamitous; afflictive; hurtful; as, adverse fates, adverse circumstances, things adverse.
Happy were it for us all if we bore prosperity as well and wisely as we endure an adverse fortune.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Averse
(usually followed by `to') strongly opposed;
Antipathetic to new ideas
Averse to taking risks
Loath to go on such short notice
Clearly indisposed to grant their request
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Adverse
Contrary to your interests or welfare;
Adverse circumstances
Made a place for themselves under the most untoward conditions
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
FAQs
Is "adverse" used to describe personal feelings?
No, "adverse" describes unfavorable conditions or effects, not personal feelings.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 20, 2023
Can weather be described as averse?
No, weather can be "adverse," but not "averse."
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 20, 2023
Can "averse" be used without "to"?
Typically, "averse" is followed by "to" when indicating what one is disinclined towards.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 20, 2023
Are adverse effects harmful?
Yes, "adverse effects" typically denote harmful or unfavorable outcomes.
Aimie Carlson
Nov 20, 2023
Is adversity related to being averse?
No, "adversity" relates to "adverse" and means difficulties or unfavorable conditions.
Aimie Carlson
Nov 20, 2023
Can adverse be used to describe feelings?
No, "adverse" describes conditions or effects, not feelings.
Harlon Moss
Nov 20, 2023
Can a decision have an averse outcome?
Decisions can have "adverse" outcomes, meaning unfavorable, not "averse."
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 20, 2023
Can a place be averse?
No, places can face "adverse" conditions, but they cannot be "averse."
Harlon Moss
Nov 20, 2023
Are the two terms interchangeable?
No, "adverse" and "averse" have distinct meanings and usages.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 20, 2023
Is someone's aversion related to "adverse"?
No, "aversion" is related to "averse" and denotes a strong dislike.
Sara Rehman
Nov 20, 2023
Can a person be described as adverse?
Typically not. People are described as "averse to" something, not "adverse."
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 20, 2023
Can one be averse to positive events?
Yes, being "averse" is about personal dislike or reluctance, not the nature of the event.
Sara Rehman
Nov 20, 2023
Is adversity the same as aversion?
No, "adversity" relates to challenges, while "aversion" relates to strong dislike.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 20, 2023
Do the two words originate from the same root?
Both come from Latin but have different roots and meanings.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 20, 2023
Is a person who dislikes change adverse to it?
They are "averse to" change, not "adverse."
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 20, 2023
Can a policy be averse?
No, a policy can have "adverse" impacts, but cannot be "averse."
Aimie Carlson
Nov 20, 2023
Can an outcome be averse?
Outcomes can be "adverse," meaning unfavorable, not "averse."
Aimie Carlson
Nov 20, 2023
Can a medication have averse effects?
A medication can have "adverse" effects, meaning harmful, not "averse."
Harlon Moss
Nov 20, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Huma SaeedHuma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.
