aversion

noun

aver·​sion ə-ˈvər-zhən How to pronounce aversion (audio)
-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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Take calculated risks: Combat the perception of risk aversion by championing bold, innovative initiatives that push organizational boundaries. Roger Dooley, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025 His approach to its development was, in part, a product of his aversion to writing. Christopher Byrd, The New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2025 Trust is risky, and there is ample evidence from social science that the risk of being conned sparks a special risk aversion. Tess Wilkinson-Ryan, TIME, 18 Mar. 2025 The former Beverly Hills, 90210 star and Stori Telling author dedicated the entirety of the most recent episode of her misSPELLING podcast to her water aversion. Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for aversion

Word History

Etymology

see averse

First Known Use

1585, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of aversion was in 1585

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Aversion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aversion. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

aversion

noun
aver·​sion ə-ˈvər-zhən How to pronounce aversion (audio)
1
: a strong dislike
2
: something strongly disliked

Medical Definition

aversion

noun
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

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