Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

animadversion

noun
an·​i·​mad·​ver·​sion | \ ˌa-nə-ˌmad-ˈvər-zhən , -məd-, -ˈvər-shən\

Definition of animadversion

1 : a critical and usually censorious remark —often used with on
2 : adverse criticism
Animadversion Has Latin Roots Example Sentences Learn More about animadversion

Keep scrolling for more

Animadversion Has Latin Roots

Animadversion comes ultimately from the Latin phrase animum advertere, meaning "to turn the mind to." It is easy to see how we also get "adverse" and "adversary" from "advertere," especially when we remember that "to turn to" easily becomes "to turn against." Other English words descended from "advertere" include advert, meaning "to turn the attention (to) or "to make reference (to)," and "advertise."

Examples of animadversion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 Margonelli would take exception to my animadversion—as stepping stones to other ventures. — Howard Schneider, WSJ, "‘Underbug’ Review: Termites and Us," 23 Aug. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'animadversion.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of animadversion

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for animadversion

Latin animadversion-, animadversio, from animadvertere

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about animadversion

Share animadversion

Dictionary Entries near animadversion

anilox

anils

anima

animadversion

animadvert

animae mundi

animal

Statistics for animadversion

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for animadversion

The first known use of animadversion was in 1583

See more words from the same year

More from Merriam-Webster on animadversion

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with animadversion

Comments on animadversion

What made you want to look up animadversion? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

minion

a servile follower or underling

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

What did you just call me?! A Quiz

  • rows-of-various-emoji
  • If a member of the audience describes your speech as bombastic, does that person mean it is:
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Citation

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games