Adverse vs Averse
adverse
unfavorable/harmful
averse
opposed/reluctant
How to tell them apart
adverse has the extra D for Damaging conditions (adverse weather). Averse = a person's Attitude of being opposed. Things are adverse; people are averse.
Test yourself
Fill in the blank: “Only one of these words means unfavorable/harmful. That word is ______.”
Choose: adverse or averse
Show answer
Answer: adverse
Adverse means unfavorable/harmful, which matches unfavorable/harmful. Averse means opposed/reluctant, so it is the wrong choice here.
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