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
Relevance
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
Applying sunscreen before heading outdoors and reapplying every few hours will keep your skin free of sunburn and protected from other adverse effects of too much exposure.
—
Bestreviews,
Mercury News,
29 June 2026
Side Effects of Wegovy HD The most common adverse reactions reported with Wegovy HD were gastrointestinal, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain.
—
Fran Kritz,
Verywell Health,
29 June 2026
France’s match against Iraq was the first game of the tournament to be delayed due to adverse weather.
—
Tom Burrows,
New York Times,
27 June 2026
Peach trees need moist soil but are susceptible to fungal disease, so not waiting long enough for the soil to dry out can cause drooping leaves, slow growth, and other adverse reactions.
—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for adverse
Bestreviews,
Mercury News,
29 June 2026
Side Effects of Wegovy HD The most common adverse reactions reported with Wegovy HD were gastrointestinal, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain.
—
Fran Kritz,
Verywell Health,
29 June 2026
France’s match against Iraq was the first game of the tournament to be delayed due to adverse weather.
—
Tom Burrows,
New York Times,
27 June 2026
Peach trees need moist soil but are susceptible to fungal disease, so not waiting long enough for the soil to dry out can cause drooping leaves, slow growth, and other adverse reactions.
—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for adverse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adverse
Adjective
-
That same study found 39% held an unfavorable view of socialism, versus 47% with an unfavorable view of capitalism.
-
If the value of the stock declines, additional collateral may be required or positions may need to be liquidated under unfavorable conditions.
Adjective
-
And beneath the surface of those turquoise waters, marine life continues on without knowing their life is colliding in detrimental-to-them ways.
-
Substance abuse is greatly detrimental in its own right, of course, but sometimes the issues that stem from it—stress, emotional exhaustion, secrecy, avoidance—can have similarly devastating long-term effects on a person’s wellbeing.
Adjective
-
The powder, sourced from California Dairies and supplied by a third party, tested negative for salmonella before the company used it in the chips.
-
Apple, for instance, dropped 5% on April 8, its fourth-straight negative day.
Adjective
-
The plasma process also produced very little smoke or tar, reducing harmful secondary pollutants typically associated with biomass conversion and making the technology a cleaner way to produce renewable solid fuel.
-
At the same time, its flowers attract beneficial predatory insects, such as ladybugs and parasitic wasps, that naturally hunt harmful garden pests.
Adjective
-
And until a Black commentator is held responsible for making openly hostile remarks about White people, nothing will change.
-
For example, in March, the crypto exchange Kraken put its multibillion‑dollar IPO on hold amid hostile market conditions, according to CoinDesk.
Adjective
-
Each specimen was weighed and put in the same-sized containers filled with superworm larvae to determine the optimal ratio of larvae to specimen for thorough cleaning without damaging bones.
-
And such a gap can be far more damaging than any technology shortfall.
Adjective
-
Teri handled higher-value finds and saw that potentially dangerous items – like firearms and knives – got to the local sheriff’s office.
-
Looking back through the sequence, Brazil have good numbers back and there is little need for anyone to overcommit — but a lazy tackle from behind leads to a free kick in a dangerous area.
Adjective
-
That if you were deemed, as an enslaved person, if you were deemed troublesome or in some way unwanted, you would literally be sold down the river from the more northern states to the deeper south where you would potentially be treated even worse.
-
Offer Real Value, Not Leftovers Most product bundles fail not because the idea is bad but because the execution misses what consumers actually want.
Cite this Entry
“Adverse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adverse. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
