aversion

noun

aver·​sion ə-ˈvər-zhən How to pronounce aversion (audio)
-shən
1
a
: a feeling of repugnance toward something with a desire to avoid or turn from it
regards drunkenness with aversion
b
: a settled dislike : antipathy
expressed an aversion to parties
c
: a tendency to extinguish a behavior or to avoid a thing or situation and especially a usually pleasurable one because it is or has been associated with a noxious stimulus
2
: an object of dislike or aversion
"Of all things inconstancy is my aversion."Jane Austen
3
obsolete : the act of turning away

Examples of aversion in a Sentence

Diners who want to reduce the size of their environmental footprint might reassess their aversion to bugs, DeFoliart says. Janet Raloff, Science News, 7 June 2008
A 16-year Monitor veteran with no previous combat experience, Tyson said she has yet to start reading newspapers on a regular basis because of her aversion to war news and does not like talking about it yet. Joe Strupp, Editor & Publisher, 21 Apr. 2003
The answer was revealing in many ways. It showed his dark humor, aversion to sentimentality, keen understanding of the role that realism must play in a messy world, and somewhat less keen appreciation for the role that morality plays in sustaining a democracy's foreign policy. Walter Isaacson, New Republic, 16 Dec. 2002
They regarded war with aversion. I simply have this ingrained aversion to the sight of bloodshed.
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.
Minority Leader Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, described Democrats as having an aversion to taking political risks. Clara Hendrickson, Detroit Free Press, 14 Nov. 2024 But venture capital’s aversion to serious risk—in the agricultural world, at least—has largely instead kept it in bed with Big Ag and favoring ventures that are bound to get bought up by them. Stephen Robert Miller, WIRED, 24 Oct. 2024 There are many people who refuse to implement as there is a risk aversion to learning from mistakes. Dr. Denise Trudeau-Poskas, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024 To Manage Risk Many companies struggle to innovate because of risk aversion. Topsie Vandenbosch, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for aversion 

Word History

Etymology

see averse

First Known Use

1585, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of aversion was in 1585

Dictionary Entries Near aversion

Cite this Entry

“Aversion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aversion. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

aversion

noun
aver·​sion ə-ˈvər-zhən How to pronounce aversion (audio)
1
: a strong dislike
2
: something strongly disliked

Medical Definition

aversion

noun
1
: a feeling of repugnance toward something with a desire to avoid or turn from it
2
: a tendency to extinguish a behavior or to avoid a thing or situation and especially a usually pleasurable one because it is or has been associated with a noxious stimulus
conditioning of food aversions by drug injection

More from Merriam-Webster on aversion

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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