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Aversion: meaning, definitions and examples

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aversion

 

[əˈvəːʃ(ə)n ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

feeling

A strong feeling of dislike or repugnance towards something or someone.

Synonyms

antipathy, dislike, hatred, repugnance.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
aversion

Used to describe a strong feeling of not liking something or someone, often in a general sense, or because it causes a negative reaction.

  • She has an aversion to spiders
  • He has a strong aversion to public speaking
dislike

A more general and everyday term for feeling that you do not like someone or something.

  • She has a dislike for loud music
  • He openly expressed his dislike for the new proposal
hatred

A very strong word that indicates intense and deep-seated dislike, often accompanied by feelings of anger or animosity.

  • Her hatred for the man who wronged her was palpable
  • The hatred between the rival gangs was obvious
repugnance

Used to describe an intense disgust or revulsion towards something, often something that is morally or physically repulsive.

  • The idea of cruelty to animals filled her with repugnance
  • He spoke with repugnance about the corrupt practices
antipathy

Often used to describe a deep-seated and usually instinctive dislike or opposition towards something or someone.

  • There has always been a strong antipathy between the two families
  • He felt an instant antipathy towards the new policy

Examples of usage

  • She has an aversion to spiders.
  • He has an aversion to public speaking.
  • I have an aversion to seafood.
Context #2 | Noun

psychology

A psychological condition in which a person has a strong dislike or fear of a particular thing or situation.

Synonyms

dislike, fear, phobia, repugnance.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
aversion

Use when describing a strong dislike or disinclination towards something.

  • She has a strong aversion to spicy foods
  • His aversion to pollution makes him avoid busy cities
phobia

Use when describing an irrational and intense fear of specific objects or situations.

  • Arachnophobia is a phobia of spiders
  • She has a phobia of crowded places
dislike

Use in general situations to express a mild or moderate negative feeling towards something.

  • I have a general dislike for waking up early
  • She dislikes loud music at night
fear

Use when describing a feeling of anxiety or dread caused by the presence or anticipation of danger.

  • He has a fear of heights
  • Her fear of flying prevents her from traveling overseas
repugnance

Use when describing a strong feeling of disgust or intense aversion towards something, often with a sense of moral or physical revulsion.

  • He felt a deep repugnance for the corrupt practices
  • His repugnance for violence is evident

Examples of usage

  • She developed an aversion to crowded spaces after the accident.
  • He sought therapy to overcome his aversion to heights.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • People can develop aversion to certain foods due to negative experiences, such as getting sick after eating them.
  • The concept of aversion is linked to our survival instincts; we often reject what we perceive as harmful.
  • Studies show that repeated exposure to something disliked can sometimes lessen the feeling of aversion over time.

Philosophy

  • Aversion is often discussed in moral philosophy, particularly regarding our choices and the motivations behind them.
  • Some philosophical views suggest that understanding our aversions can help us achieve greater self-knowledge and growth.

Behavioral Science

  • Aversion therapy is a treatment that uses a negative stimulus to discourage unwanted behaviors, like smoking.
  • This type of therapy highlights how our aversions can be modified or conditioned through experience.

Cultural Perspectives

  • Different cultures have varying aversions based on local customs and beliefs, impacting dietary and social practices.
  • For example, certain countries may have a strong aversion to foods like insects, while others may consider them delicacies.

Translations

Translations of the word "aversion" in other languages:

🇵🇹 aversão

🇮🇳 घृणा

🇩🇪 Abneigung

🇮🇩 kebencian

🇺🇦 відраза

🇵🇱 awersja

🇯🇵 嫌悪

🇫🇷 aversion

🇪🇸 aversión

🇹🇷 nefret

🇰🇷 혐오

🇸🇦 نفور

🇨🇿 averze

🇸🇰 averzia

🇨🇳 厌恶

🇸🇮 averzija

🇮🇸 óbeit

🇰🇿 жек көру

🇬🇪 ზიზღი

🇦🇿 nifrət

🇲🇽 aversión

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,051, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.