adverse
English meaning: Adverse
Definition
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.
Example
“adverse criticism”
Another example: “The medication may cause adverse reactions in some patients.”
Usage — When, Where & How
A formal adjective meaning unfavourable or harmful, often in fixed phrases like 'adverse effects' (medicine), 'adverse weather', or 'adverse conditions'. Do not confuse with 'averse' (= reluctant); 'adverse' describes things, 'averse' describes a person's attitude.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Latin 'adversus' (turned toward, hostile), past participle of 'advertere', from 'ad-' (to) plus 'vertere' (to turn); in English from the 14th century.
Synonyms
Antonyms / Opposites
- favourable
- beneficial
- advantageous
- helpful
Related Words
Common Collocations
- adverse effects
- adverse weather conditions
- adverse reaction
- adverse impact
- adverse circumstances
- have an adverse effect on
Word Forms
adverse (adj); adversely (adv); adversity (n)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B