aversive

adjective

aver·sive | \ ə-ˈvər-siv

, -ziv \

Definition of aversive

: tending to avoid or causing avoidance of a noxious or punishing stimulus behavior modification by aversive stimulation

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Examples of aversive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Difficult tasks, and particularly tasks involving heavy mental investment, come with an aversive experience of mental effort. — David Badre, Scientific American, "How We Can Deal with 'Pandemic Fatigue'," 24 Jan. 2021 One study found that dogs trained with aversive methods looked at their owners less frequently than dogs trained with positive reinforcement. — Linda Lombardi, chicagotribune.com, "Food rewards: Way to a dog’s heart IS through its stomach," 1 Oct. 2019 The researchers think this pattern of brain activity disrupts transmission of aversive signals in the mPFC-dPAG circuit, reducing sensitivity to punishment. — Simon Makin, Scientific American, "Brain Circuit Involved in Compulsive Drinking Identified in Mice," 21 Nov. 2019 The prefrontal cortex is involved in decision making; the dorsal periaqueductal gray area processes painful and aversive events. — Cody A. Siciliano, The Conversation, "Brain activity predicts which mice will become compulsive drinkers," 21 Nov. 2019 Earlier studies had shown that specific nerve pathways leading to a structure known as the ventral tegmental area (VTA) were important for the aversive nature of the foot shock. — Robert Martone, Scientific American, "A Successful Artificial Memory Has Been Created," 27 Aug. 2019 Like thirst, hunger or pain, loneliness is an aversive state that animals seek to resolve, improving their long-term survival. — Quanta Magazine, "New Evidence for the Necessity of Loneliness," 10 May 2016 With some 60 likenesses by a notoriously testy, people-aversive artist-rebel, this is the largest gathering of its kind in a century. — New York Times, "23 Art Exhibitions to View in N.Y.C. This Weekend," 5 July 2018 With some 60 likenesses by a notoriously testy, people-aversive artist-rebel, this is the largest gathering of its kind in a century. — New York Times, "23 Art Exhibitions to View in N.Y.C. This Weekend," 5 July 2018

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

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Last Updated

9 Feb 2021

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“Aversive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aversive. Accessed 5 Mar. 2021.

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More Definitions for aversive

aversive

adjective

aver·sive | \ ə-ˈvər-siv, -ziv \

Medical Definition of aversive

(Entry 1 of 2)

: tending to avoid or causing avoidance of a noxious or punishing stimulus behavior modification by aversive conditioning

aversive

noun

Medical Definition of aversive (Entry 2 of 2)

: 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, 31 Aug. 1990