: having an active feeling of repugnance, dislike, or distaste
usually used with to
She was not averse to taking chances.
He seems to be averse to strenuous exercise.
commonly used in compounds both with and without a hyphen
a conservative risk-averse investor
a crowd averse teen
aversely adverb
averseness noun

Did you know?

Adverse vs. Averse

Many people find themselves confused when faced with the choice between adverse and averse. While these two adjectives have many similarities, they are not used interchangeably.

If you want to describe a negative reaction to something (such as a harmful side effect from medication) or dangerous meteorological conditions (such as a snowstorm), adverse is the correct choice; you would not say that you had an averse reaction to medication or that there was averse weather.

Averse is most commonly followed by the preposition to (as in "she is averse to shellfish"), but not in every case; you can, for example, describe someone as “risk averse." Normally, averse to signifies a degree of dislike and avoidance, but when preceded by the word not (as in “he was not averse to having another drink”), it may be used as a pointedly understated way to express an interest in something.

In short, adverse tends to be used to describe effects, conditions, and results; while averse refers to feelings and inclinations.

Choose the Right Synonym for averse

disinclined, hesitant, reluctant, loath, averse mean lacking the will or desire to do something indicated.

disinclined implies lack of taste for or inclination.

disinclined to move again
disinclined for reading

hesitant implies a holding back especially through fear or uncertainty.

hesitant about asking for a date

reluctant implies a holding back through unwillingness.

a reluctant witness

loath implies hesitancy because of conflict with one's opinions, predilections, or liking.

seems loath to trust anyone

averse implies a holding back from or avoiding because of distaste or repugnance.

averse to hard work
not averse to an occasional drink

Examples of averse in a Sentence

I'm not averse to broccoli if it's cooked right.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Across all program types, the report highlighted the need for strong IP to drive sales in a risk-averse environment. Ed Meza, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025 Schiffer said Meghan had been too risk averse in the first two seasons, but could try to pitch a slightly different concept for a third season that pushed the boundaries far more. Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025 Both industries involve risk-averse buyers making decisions about protecting valuable assets. Lee Salisbury, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025 But then those people got fired and replaced by this group with members who are science-averse and anti-vaccine. Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for averse

Word History

Etymology

Latin aversus, past participle of avertere — see avert

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of averse was in 1597

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Averse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/averse. Accessed 7 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

averse

adjective
: having an active and strong dislike
averse to exercise
aversely adverb
averseness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on averse

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