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

The Daily Mail report didn’t address whether Lively’s lawsuit has adversely affected Reynolds, but the actor, being called as a witness, only raises the stakes for him, Shuter reported. —Martha Ross, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2026

Opponents worry families will be adversely affected by gambling, which has among the highest rates of suicide among addictive substances. —Dallas Morning News, 7 Apr. 2026

But most writers, even those adversely affected, are quick to point out that the writing was on the wall well before the strikes. —Katie Campione, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2026

Using advanced analytical characterization techniques, this analysis also assesses for inorganic compounds that may adversely affect laser treatment. —Etiido Uko march 28, New Atlas, 28 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for adversely

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