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Adverse vs Averse

Definitions​

  • ‘Adverse’ (adj) means ‘having a negative or harmful effect on something’.
  • ‘Averse’ (adj) means ‘having a strong dislike against something’.

What’s the difference between ‘adverse’ and ‘averse’?​

It is easy to see how these two words can be confused. They look and sound alike, and both carry a negative connotation. However, their meanings are different.

  • ‘Adverse’ is frequently used in Medicine, combined with nouns such as ‘events’, ‘effects’, or ‘reactions’ to a particular drug or treatment.
  • ‘Averse’ is used to describe someone’s negative position on something; e.g. ‘he/she is averse to X’. This word is often followed by the preposition ‘to’.

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How they’re used​

Example sentences with ‘adverse’

  • The incidence of adverse reactions is well documented.
  • The intensity of the adverse events associated with the drug was reported.

Example sentences with ‘averse’

  • The general public is averse to machines making moral decisions.
  • Some buyers are averse to high risk when making investments.