1
as in unfavorable
opposed to one's interests
all the adverse publicity really caused the movie star's popularity to suffer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in detrimental
causing or capable of causing harm
the adverse effects of the drug are too severe to allow it to be marketed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of adverse
Extend it to four seconds to ensure safe spacing in adverse conditions.
—
Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 25 Sep. 2025
For one, a high fever during early pregnancy has in some cases been linked to potential complications for the fetus, including neural tube defects and other adverse outcomes.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 23 Sep. 2025
To avoid adverse effects, aim to keep total caffeine from all beverages under 400 milligrams (mg) per day (most adults), and under 200 mg during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
—Sarah Jividen, Verywell Health, 23 Sep. 2025
The adverse events that occurred after both a first dose and a second dose were similar to those of other vaccines, including the intranasal flu vaccine, according to results published in August in NEJM Evidence.
—Tara Haelle, Scientific American, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adverse
Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 25 Sep. 2025
For one, a high fever during early pregnancy has in some cases been linked to potential complications for the fetus, including neural tube defects and other adverse outcomes.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 23 Sep. 2025
To avoid adverse effects, aim to keep total caffeine from all beverages under 400 milligrams (mg) per day (most adults), and under 200 mg during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
—Sarah Jividen, Verywell Health, 23 Sep. 2025
The adverse events that occurred after both a first dose and a second dose were similar to those of other vaccines, including the intranasal flu vaccine, according to results published in August in NEJM Evidence.
—Tara Haelle, Scientific American, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adverse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adverse
Adjective
-
Even as tragedy and struggle beset the tenement districts, the very qualities that defined the tenement’s unfavorable physical conditions—over-crowdedness and density—became building blocks for community.—
Annie Polland,
Time,
25 Sep. 2025
-
When unfavorable ratios of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol were considered, those with the least favorable ratios had a 54% higher risk of high blood pressure.—
Anna Giorgi,
Verywell Health,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
But the project — and two more down the pike — may also prove detrimental to decades of planning by Sutter County, adding hurdles while restricting the scope of Sutter Pointe, a decades-long housing plan just north of the Sacramento County line.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
23 Sep. 2025
-
Maternal Control Plays a Big Part Most people can agree that rules and boundaries are essential during adolescence, but this research shows that going too far can be detrimental.—
Sarah Scott,
Parents,
23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The conversation touched on handling negative criticism.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
20 Sep. 2025
-
Think about using the experience of a negative limerent episode as an opportunity to improve your life.—
Marielle Segarra,
NPR,
20 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Researchers in Indonesia have unveiled a ‘dazzling breakthrough’ that transforms plastic waste into glowing nanomaterials capable of sensing harmful substances in water.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Sep. 2025
-
These statements are harmful and untrue, Chabot said.—
Madeline Mitchell,
USA Today,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Students from the kingdom are increasingly turning away from US universities in particular, put off by a mix of hostile immigration policies, concerns over gun violence, and the kingdom’s own push to grow its domestic education sector.—
Manal Albarakati,
semafor.com,
26 Sep. 2025
-
The move to social media and algorithmic media was really a move toward a style of political communication that is somewhat hostile to the liberal project and the deliberative, open-minded, thoughtful, on-the-one-hand-on-the-other-hand mode of discourse that Obama is good at.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Speaking to reporters for the first time since the opener, Prince on Friday took responsibility for the late substitutions that contributed to two damaging delay of game penalties late in the Week 2 loss against the Patriots.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
26 Sep. 2025
-
In just a matter of hours, damaging winds and record-breaking flooding started to devastate many areas, especially the higher terrains of the southeastern Appalachians.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Google is now forcing AI summaries at the top of web searches, which reduce traffic to websites and often provide dangerous misinformation.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
22 Sep. 2025
-
The oversimplification of a complex developmental difference that exists on a spectrum of many different abilities and experiences is dehumanizing at best and dangerous at its worst, autism experts, advocacy groups and members of the community told USA TODAY.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
But what if cold plunges are actually bad for women?—
Korin Miller,
SELF,
22 Sep. 2025
-
The alternative — nothing — would certainly be worse.—
ProPublica,
ProPublica,
22 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Adverse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adverse. Accessed 27 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share