adverse
/ədˈvɜ(ɹ)s/
Group 25Difficulty 1/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Preventing success or development; harmful; unfavorable GRE
Example in Context
The adverse weather conditions forced the cancellation of the outdoor event that had taken months to plan and had attracted thousands of registrants.
Synonyms
unfavorableharmfulnegative
Etymology
Turning towards the negative; facing obstacles.
- ad- (Latin) — to
- vertere (Latin) — to turn
Memory Aid
🚫Sounds like “ad vers”
Imagine a sign that says 'AD VERS' — 'ADVERSE' conditions make you take a U-turn and go back!
Visual Association
⚠️A dark storm cloud overshadowing a bright sunny day, signaling troubles ahead.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Confusable Pairs
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “adverse” mean on the GRE?
adverse (adjective) means “Preventing success or development; harmful; unfavorable”. The adverse weather conditions forced the cancellation of the outdoor event that had taken months to plan and had attracted thousands of registrants.
How to remember “adverse” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “adverse” sounds like “ad vers”. Imagine a sign that says 'AD VERS' — 'ADVERSE' conditions make you take a U-turn and go back!
What are synonyms for “adverse”?
Common synonyms: unfavorable, harmful, negative.