Meaning & use
adverse
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Meanings
adjectivebefore a nounformal
Harmful or unfavorable and likely to cause problems.
Grammar: Almost always before a noun: adverse effects.
Patterns
- adverse effect on something
The drug can have adverse effects on some patients.
Adverse weather delayed the flight.
adjectivebefore a nounformal
Opposing someone's interests or plans.
Grammar: Used with words like ruling, publicity.
The company faced adverse publicity after the recall.
An adverse ruling cost them the case.
Common combinations
- adverse effect
- The medicine had an adverse effect.
- adverse weather
- Adverse weather closed the road.
- adverse conditions
- They worked in adverse conditions.
- adverse reaction
- He had an adverse reaction to the shot.
Synonyms and how they differ
- harmful
- Harmful is plainer and speaks directly of damage.
- unfavorable
- Unfavorable is milder and means not helpful.
- hostile
- Hostile implies active opposition, often from people.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: adverse or averse?
adverse vs averse
Averse describes a person who dislikes something, usually with to: averse to risk.
Practice
Heavy rain had an ___ effect on ticket sales.
Choose one answer.
Adverse effect means a harmful effect. Averse describes people who dislike something.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “adverse”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.