aversion
noun
aver·sion
ə-ˈvər-zhən 
-shən
1
a
: a feeling of repugnance toward something with a desire to avoid or turn from it
regards drunkenness with aversion
b
: a settled dislike : antipathy
expressed an aversion to parties
c
: a tendency to extinguish a behavior or to avoid a thing or situation and especially a usually pleasurable one because it is or has been associated with a noxious stimulus
2
: an object of dislike or aversion
"Of all things inconstancy is my aversion."—
Jane Austen
Jane Austen3
obsolete
: the act of turning away
Synonyms
Examples of aversion in a Sentence
Diners who want to reduce the size of their environmental footprint might reassess their aversion to bugs, DeFoliart says.
—Janet Raloff, Science News, 7 June 2008
A 16-year Monitor veteran with no previous combat experience, Tyson said she has yet to start reading newspapers on a regular basis because of her aversion to war news and does not like talking about it yet.
—Joe Strupp, Editor & Publisher, 21 Apr. 2003
The answer was revealing in many ways. It showed his dark humor, aversion to sentimentality, keen understanding of the role that realism must play in a messy world, and somewhat less keen appreciation for the role that morality plays in sustaining a democracy's foreign policy.
—Walter Isaacson, New Republic, 16 Dec. 2002
They regarded war with aversion.
I simply have this ingrained aversion to the sight of bloodshed.
Janet Raloff, Science News, 7 June 2008
A 16-year Monitor veteran with no previous combat experience, Tyson said she has yet to start reading newspapers on a regular basis because of her aversion to war news and does not like talking about it yet.
—Joe Strupp, Editor & Publisher, 21 Apr. 2003
The answer was revealing in many ways. It showed his dark humor, aversion to sentimentality, keen understanding of the role that realism must play in a messy world, and somewhat less keen appreciation for the role that morality plays in sustaining a democracy's foreign policy.
—Walter Isaacson, New Republic, 16 Dec. 2002
They regarded war with aversion.
I simply have this ingrained aversion to the sight of bloodshed.
Recent Examples on the Web
But to a small band of extremists who have been fantasizing about another civil war for years, the film’s garbled politics and confused narrative may create not aversion but inspiration.
—David Gilbert, WIRED, 12 Apr. 2024
On the other hand, that aversion to shutting down the government also gives leverage to those in safe districts who see an opportunity to extract concessions.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2024
That can look like a fear of texture, [or] different aversions to smells.
—Rachel Wenzlaff, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2024
Employers’ aversion to hiring entry-level candidates is driven by lower confidence in the outlook, according to a REC survey showing sentiment toward hiring and investment decisions at a 12-month low.
—Isabella Ward, Fortune Europe, 8 Apr. 2024
The simplicity of formulating our aversion technology was to look at the problem logically, rather than scientifically.
—Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 28 Mar. 2024
But Stern’s aversion to speech codes was also shaped by another, more practical consideration.
—Eyal Press, The New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2024
Typical symptoms of meningitis infections include fever, headache, a stiff neck, an aversion to light and nausea.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2024
One reason for that aversion has to do with the usage of one specific instrument: the speculum.
—Fiorella Valdesolo, Vogue, 29 Mar. 2024
David Gilbert, WIRED, 12 Apr. 2024
On the other hand, that aversion to shutting down the government also gives leverage to those in safe districts who see an opportunity to extract concessions.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2024
That can look like a fear of texture, [or] different aversions to smells.
—Rachel Wenzlaff, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2024
Employers’ aversion to hiring entry-level candidates is driven by lower confidence in the outlook, according to a REC survey showing sentiment toward hiring and investment decisions at a 12-month low.
—Isabella Ward, Fortune Europe, 8 Apr. 2024
The simplicity of formulating our aversion technology was to look at the problem logically, rather than scientifically.
—Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 28 Mar. 2024
But Stern’s aversion to speech codes was also shaped by another, more practical consideration.
—Eyal Press, The New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2024
Typical symptoms of meningitis infections include fever, headache, a stiff neck, an aversion to light and nausea.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2024
One reason for that aversion has to do with the usage of one specific instrument: the speculum.
—Fiorella Valdesolo, Vogue, 29 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'aversion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Phrases Containing aversion
Dictionary Entries Near aversion
Cite this Entry
“Aversion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aversion. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
aversion
noun
aver·sion
ə-ˈvər-zhən
1
: a strong dislike
2
: something strongly disliked
Medical Definition
aversion
noun
aver·sion
ə-ˈvər-zhən, -shən
1
: a feeling of repugnance toward something with a desire to avoid or turn from it
2
: a tendency to extinguish a behavior or to avoid a thing or situation and especially a usually pleasurable one because it is or has been associated with a noxious stimulus
conditioning of food aversions by drug injection
More from Merriam-Webster on aversion
Nglish: Translation of aversion for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of aversion for Arabic Speakers
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