adverse

adjective

ad-ˈvərs How to pronounce adverse (audio)
Definition of adversenext
1
as in unfavorable
opposed to one's interests all the adverse publicity really caused the movie star's popularity to suffer

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in detrimental
causing or capable of causing harm the adverse effects of the drug are too severe to allow it to be marketed

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of adverse The Missing Layer is Often Context A compliance system may correctly identify a PEP, an adverse-media reference, a beneficial owner requiring verification or a sanctions alert. — Miami Herald, 14 Aug. 2026 Both sides, weakened by adverse conditions, had armies of nearly equal strength. — Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026 The suit maintains that the commission’s denial does not identify any adverse impact to a wetland function or value, nor any feasible and prudent alternatives to address the Commission’s reasons for denial, in violation of state law, Conn. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026 Brooks also said Union County Public Schools cleared Anderson of wrongdoing in the 2021 school incident and took no adverse action against him. — Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for adverse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adverse
  1. unfavorable
  2. detrimental
  3. negative
  4. harmful
  5. hostile
  6. damaging
  7. dangerous
  8. bad
Adjective
  • The party has a 54% unfavorable rating compared to 40% favorable, according to a RealClearPolitics polling average.
    — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 19 Aug. 2026
  • But experts said the administration likely would appeal an unfavorable ruling to the Supreme Court, leaving the fate of hundreds of children and their families in doubt.
    — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of unfavorable
Adjective
  • These can be detrimental to a business owner and the success of their businesses.
    — Simone Lundquist, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Both receptors are common on human airway cells High levels of stimulation are detrimental, the researchers wrote, whereas moderate levels indicating small amounts of time spent in cowsheds seemed to be beneficial.
    — Baltimore Sun, Boston Herald, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of detrimental
Adjective
  • Even dismissing the most extreme negative outcomes, consumers still stand to lose thousands if policymakers don’t act to reduce spending.
    — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The sixth is to analyze failure types and to embrace any negative results.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of negative
Adjective
  • Child development experts have noted teenagers are more susceptible to social comparison than adults, so products that reward popularity can be more harmful to their mental health.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Beneficial bacteria also provide colonization resistance, competing with harmful microbes for nutrients and attachment sites while producing substances that inhibit their growth.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of harmful
Adjective
  • Alice and Gemma really don’t seem to get along, and neither seems inclined to back down from their hostile postures.
    — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The true target of the strike was Turkey, which has grown increasingly hostile toward Israel since the war in Gaza, and over its differing approach to Syria.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of hostile
Adjective
  • The greatest risk from the storms will be from damaging winds and heavy downpours.
    — Rachael Jay, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Although both helped mitigate the effects of the gas, urine offered some degree of chemical protection because its ammonia partially neutralized the chlorine, reducing the gas’s damaging and potentially lethal effects on the lungs.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of damaging
Adjective
  • On Sunday, storms brought dangerous flash flooding to the area around the Aspen Acres burn scar.
    — Christa Swanson, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • That makes the world a more dangerous place, where a mistake by just one actor could ignite a regional firestorm, with a US military weakened by Iran unable to ensure American security.
    — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of dangerous
Adjective
  • Neighbors said the rotten-egg smell has gotten worse over the last couple of weeks, even trailing to apartments across the street.
    — Nicole Comstock, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • For Panama, the result is a wet season that’s already been drier than usual and is likely to get worse.
    — Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of bad

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Cite this Entry

“Adverse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adverse. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of adverse for Spanish Speakers

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