Difference Between Adverse and Averse

The words adverse and averse are derived from a Latin term, which is one of the frequently confused pairs of homonym. However, their meanings are quite different, in the sense that adverse is used to point out something which is unfavourable, conflicting, detrimental or unfriendly.

On the other hand, averse is used to denote something which is unwilling, reluctant, loath or opposing by nature. Let’s understand the two with the help of the examples given below:

• I am averse to the opinion that cold drink has adverse effects.
• He is not averse to smoking, but it can adversely affect our body.
• A manager is risk-averse because he/she knows the adverse impact of the risk very well.

In these two examples, you might have noticed that adverse is used to denote harmful, whereas averse primarily indicates a strong feeling of disagreement.

Content: Adverse Vs Averse

1. Comparison Chart
2. Definition
3. Key Differences
4. Examples
5. How to remember the difference

Comparison Chart

Basis for Comparison	Adverse	Averse
Meaning	Adverse refers to something which is harmful or unfavorable or which hinders the growth.	Averse implies a solid dislike or resistance to something.
Pronunciation	ˈadvəːs	əˈvəːs
Used with	Conditions, results or effects.	Feelings or attitude of people.
Preposition	Not followed by any preposition.	Followed by preposition 'to'.
Example	An expired medicine has a number of adverse effects.	A leader is not averse to taking risk.
	The cyclone adversely affected the coast and the nearby region.	I am averse to talking unnecessarily.
	The situation of the country is getting adverse, due to recession.	There are a few people who are averse to socializing.

Definition of Adverse

The word ‘adverse’ indicates conditions, circumstances or anything else, that has a harmful or negative impact or poses a threat on a person or thing. We use ‘adverse’ for something which is contrary to or opposed to one’s interest, development or welfare.

For example:

• Due to adverse weather conditions, people are evacuated from the area.
• The technology advancement has an adverse impact on human health.
• Recently, an adverse trend has been noticed in the world economy.
• Despite the adverse conditions in the country, the election process is completed properly.
• Change in the government policies and taxes adversely affected the purchasing power of the common man.
• No one is responsible for the adverse events that happened to you.

Definition of Averse

Averse refers to a very vigorous feeling of dislike or disagreement towards something. If you are averse to something, you are actually opposed to it. When the word ‘averse’ is preceded by the word not, the meaning is changed, i.e. it indicates the interest or agreement to something. Hence, when you say you are not averse to something, it denotes you like doing it.

For example:

• Some people in the country are averse to the idea of free education to poor children.
• Many big businessmen are averse to talking to media.
• Our school Principal is entirely averse to operating smartphone at school.
• It is just that who is averse to playing cards and who loves it.
• The cricket board is averse to match-fixing.
• Are you averse to corruption?

Examples

Adverse

• The video was uploaded with positive intentions, but it has got adverse reviews.
• Increasing pollution has a number of adverse effect on people.
• One should be prepared to live in adverse circumstances.

Averse

• Usually, people involved in hedging are risk-averse.
• My mother is averse to non-vegetarian food.
• Robert is averse to watching a cricket match.

How to remember the difference

To sum up, you can use adverse when there is a negative or unfavourable reaction or something that acts in opposition, whereas averse is used when you dislike, disagree or avoid something. The basic difference between the two lies in their meaning, i.e. while you can remember adverse with the bad, averse can be memorized with the inverse, which means opposed to something.