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

3

obsolete : the act of turning away

Synonyms

• disgust
• distaste
• horror
• loathing
• nausea
• repugnance
• repulsion
• revulsion

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

His aversion to confrontation is outweighed by the urgent need for triage. —Susan Morrison, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2025

Loss Aversion The concept of loss aversion may also be closely monitored as the industry evaluates the implications of the subscription service. —Matt Rybaltowski, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025

Kerkorian was widely known for his aversion to the press. —Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Jan. 2025

Christie Werts worked through her aversion to adoption to take in the son of her husband's late ex-wife Comments Growing up, Christie Werts always felt a little different from the rest of her family. —Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 3 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see averse

First Known Use

1585, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing aversion

• aversion therapy

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