aversive
adjective
aver·sive
ə-ˈvər-siv 
-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
Sheridan’s company has patented a transdermal medical patch with an aversive coating layer added on top.
—
Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 28 Mar. 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, 20 Feb. 2024
About 15 years ago, reports started coming out that dopamine neurons respond to aversive events – think brief discomforts like a puff of air against your eye, a mild electric shock or losing money – something scientists thought dopamine did not do.
—Kimberlee D'ardenne, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2023
But it’s also released by aversive stimuli like stress or pain.
—Quanta Magazine, 7 Dec. 2023
Trainers should use positive reinforcement, such as rewards with a special treat, rather than aversive methods.
—Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Nov. 2023
In an amicus brief, the American Academy of Pediatrics and five other groups called for an end to the aversive behavioral technique, arguing it has never been considered acceptable medical practice for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
—John R. Ellement, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Sep. 2023
The researchers then measured the rats’ aversive responses such as mouth movements, sticking out the tongue or licking paws.
—Chris Gorski, Discover Magazine, 28 Jan. 2023
Through past experiences with people, dogs could come to view the angry expression as aversive.
—Julie Hecht, Scientific American, 1 May 2017
Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 28 Mar. 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, 20 Feb. 2024
About 15 years ago, reports started coming out that dopamine neurons respond to aversive events – think brief discomforts like a puff of air against your eye, a mild electric shock or losing money – something scientists thought dopamine did not do.
—Kimberlee D'ardenne, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2023
But it’s also released by aversive stimuli like stress or pain.
—Quanta Magazine, 7 Dec. 2023
Trainers should use positive reinforcement, such as rewards with a special treat, rather than aversive methods.
—Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Nov. 2023
In an amicus brief, the American Academy of Pediatrics and five other groups called for an end to the aversive behavioral technique, arguing it has never been considered acceptable medical practice for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
—John R. Ellement, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Sep. 2023
The researchers then measured the rats’ aversive responses such as mouth movements, sticking out the tongue or licking paws.
—Chris Gorski, Discover Magazine, 28 Jan. 2023
Through past experiences with people, dogs could come to view the angry expression as aversive.
—Julie Hecht, Scientific American, 1 May 2017
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'aversive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near aversive
Cite this Entry
“Aversive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aversive. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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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
Constance Holden, Science
More from Merriam-Webster on aversive
Nglish: Translation of aversive for Spanish Speakers
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