aversive
aversive Lexical Profile
aversive Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Causing strong dislike, repugnance, or a tendency to avoid or turn away from a stimulus, especially as a method of behavioral conditioning.
"The psychologist studied how patients reacted to aversive stimuli such as loud noises and bitter tastes."
Characterized by or expressing a strong feeling of antipathy, avoidance, or disinclination toward something.
"Children often display an aversive reaction when introduced to unfamiliar bitter vegetables."
• noun
An unpleasant or noxious stimulus used in behavioral psychology or training to discourage an undesirable behavior through punishment or negative reinforcement.
"Modern animal trainers generally favor positive reinforcement over the use of harsh aversives."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'aversive' with 'averse': 'aversive' describes a stimulus that causes avoidance or disgust (e.g., an aversive odor), whereas 'averse' describes a person who feels strong opposition or disinclination toward something (e.g., averse to risk).
• Rhymes for aversive
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 16th century from Latin aversivus ('turning away'), formed from aversus, the past participle of avertere ('to turn away'), from ab- ('from, away') and vertere ('to turn').