Adverse

medium

AD-vers

adjective

Definition

Preventing success or development; harmful or unfavorable

Examples

The drug was withdrawn due to adverse side effects.
Adverse weather conditions delayed the expedition.

Synonyms

unfavorabledetrimentalharmfulinimical

Antonyms

Categories

GRE Tip

Adverse is a medium-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "unfavorable" or "detrimental" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "favorable".

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