aversion therapy

noun

: therapy intended to suppress an undesirable habit or behavior (such as smoking) by associating the habit or behavior with a noxious or punishing stimulus (such as electric shock)

Examples of aversion therapy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Historically, practitioners have used aversion therapy, including inducing nausea and vomiting or providing electric shocks. —

Benjamin Ryan, NBC News, 4 Oct. 2023 It was based on the psychological principle of aversion therapy. —

cleveland, 17 Aug. 2020 Patients of aversion therapy were also sometimes dosed with nausea-inducing drugs, Dr. Haldeman says. —

Chelsea Greenwood Lassman, Teen Vogue, 7 Aug. 2018 The sentence proves a mixed bag for Cameron, who is subjected to all sorts of aversion therapy (including Christian rock songs), but also finds emotional support among her fellow campers. —

Chris Kaltenbach, baltimoresun.com, 2 May 2018 Marzonie said conversion therapy is often associated with aversion therapy, an extreme form of the practice that involves inflicting pain or physical discomfort such as electro-shock therapy. —

NBC News, 26 Feb. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'aversion therapy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of aversion therapy was in 1946

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Aversion therapy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aversion%20therapy. Accessed 9 Dec. 2023.

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Medical Definition

aversion therapy

noun

: therapy intended to suppress an undesirable habit or behavior (as smoking or overeating) by associating the habit or behavior with a noxious or punishing stimulus (as an electric shock)