aversive

adjective

aver·​sive ə-ˈvər-siv How to pronounce aversive (audio)
-ziv
: tending to avoid or causing avoidance of a noxious or punishing stimulus
behavior modification by aversive stimulation
aversively adverb
aversiveness noun

Examples of aversive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The meta-analysis suggested that there is a consensus generally in the research literature regarding thinking as being aversive by people. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024 Cognitive neuroscientist Xiaoqing Hu of the University of Hong Kong and his colleagues used TMR to put a positive spin on aversive memories by building associations with upbeat words. Ingrid Wickelgren, Scientific American, 1 Mar. 2024 Dopamine in motivational control: rewarding, aversive, and alerting International Journal of Applied Positive Psychology. Anna Nordseth, Discover Magazine, 22 May 2024 Most experts now agree that positive reinforcement training is best, and aversive methods, like the electric collar Noem described using on Cricket in her book, have negative side effects and are not effective. Monica Potts, ABC News, 8 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for aversive 

Word History

Etymology

see averse

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of aversive was in 1911

Dictionary Entries Near aversive

Cite this Entry

“Aversive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aversive. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

aversive

1 of 2 adjective
aver·​sive
ə-ˈvər-siv, -ziv
: tending to avoid or causing avoidance of a noxious or punishing stimulus
behavior modification by aversive conditioning
aversively adverb
aversiveness noun

aversive

2 of 2 noun
: a noxious or punishing stimulus used to suppress an undesirable behavior or habit
Aversives enter the picture because, although many "positive" (nonpunitive) methods for stopping self-injurious behaviors have been developed, they don't work in all cases.Constance Holden, Science

More from Merriam-Webster on aversive

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