adversely

adverb

ad·​verse·​ly ad-ˈvərs-lē 

ˈad-ˌvərs-

: in an adverse manner : in a way that is bad or harmful

Determining which drugs—if any—may have interacted adversely with others is difficult.

—Nancy Ann Jeffrey and Robert Langreth

—often used with affect

Reductions in staffing are affecting the company adversely.

Taking a loan from your retirement account may adversely affect your retirement savings, but there are instances when taking such a loan makes sense.

—Denise Appleby

Examples of adversely in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These events, along with floods, drought and late-spring frosts are all worrisome and can adversely affect crops throughout the year. — ABC News, 8 July 2026

Suing governments to address climate change The legal argument against governments is based on the premise that the failure of a government to take action to prevent climate change adversely impacts individuals. — Jon McGowan, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

He was later arrested and charged with disrupting the operation of an aircraft and disorderly conduct which adversely affected airport security. — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026

Provide Consistent Conditions Ficus plants react adversely to abrupt changes. — Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for adversely

• diversely
• inversely
• perversely
• reversely
• transversely
• tersely