adverse

[ad-vurs, ad-vurs] / ædˈvɜrs, ˈæd vɜrs /

ADJECTIVE

unfavorable, antagonistic

Synonyms

STRONGEST

conflicting detrimental disadvantageous inimical injurious negative unfortunate unfriendly

WEAK

allergic to contrary down on down side have no use for inopportune opposed opposing opposite oppugning ornery reluctant repugnant stuffy unlucky unpropitious unwilling

Antonyms

STRONGEST

advantageous assisting beneficial friendly good helpful kind nice

WEAK

aiding auspicious favorable fortunate lucky propitious

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“Greater interconnectedness owing to such circular financing structures heightens concerns of systemic spillovers should an adverse shock affect even a single entity,” they note.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

He reasoned that the FDA didn’t have adequate data about adverse events or the safety of telehealth when writing the current rules on mifepristone.

From Slate • Apr. 13, 2026

There are big challenges in each chapter of life, and those can be exacerbated by adverse economic events.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

CalMac warned of further disruption across the network due to adverse weather and urged anyone travelling to check their journey.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

I went down a bit of a rabbit hole here; the property has been tied up in a legal dispute since late 2012, and then an additional case was opened in 2018 about adverse possession.

From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy

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