aversive

adjective

aver·​sive ə-ˈvər-siv 

-ziv

: tending to avoid or causing avoidance of a noxious or punishing stimulus

behavior modification by aversive stimulation

aversively adverb

aversiveness noun

Examples of aversive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Gorsuch emphasized that Colorado—and other states—remain free to prohibit coercive or aversive practices and to regulate conduct that causes demonstrable harm. —MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026

The drug didn’t make alcohol aversive. —Ziyad Al-Aly, STAT, 4 Mar. 2026

Boredom is almost purely aversive. —Daniel Smith, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2026

Others experience the same dynamics as draining or even aversive. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 19 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see averse

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for aversive

• coercive
• discursive
• dispersive
• immersive
• recursive
• subversive
• cursive

Medical Definition

aversive

1 of 2 adjective

aver·​sive

ə-ˈvər-siv, -ziv

: tending to avoid or causing avoidance of a noxious or punishing stimulus

behavior modification by aversive conditioning

aversively adverb

aversiveness noun

aversive

2 of 2 noun

: a noxious or punishing stimulus used to suppress an undesirable behavior or habit

Aversives enter the picture because, although many "positive" (nonpunitive) methods for stopping self-injurious behaviors have been developed, they don't work in all cases.

—Constance Holden, Science