Averse

averse
    adj 1: (usually followed by `to') strongly opposed;
           "antipathetic to new ideas"; "averse to taking risks";
           "loath to go on such short notice"; "clearly indisposed
           to grant their request" [syn: {antipathetic},
           {antipathetical}, {averse(p)}, {indisposed(p)},
           {loath(p)}, {loth(p)}]
    

Averse \A*verse"\, v. t. & i.
   To turn away. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
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Averse \A*verse"\, a. [L. aversus, p. p. of avertere. See
   {Avert}.]
   1. Turned away or backward. [Obs.]
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            The tracks averse a lying notice gave,
            And led the searcher backward from the cave.
                                                  --Dryden.
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   2. Having a repugnance or opposition of mind; disliking;
      disinclined; unwilling; reluctant.
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            Averse alike to flatter, or offend.   --Pope.
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            Men who were averse to the life of camps.
                                                  --Macaulay.
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            Pass by securely as men averse from war. --Micah ii.
                                                  8.
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   Note: The prevailing usage now is to employ to after averse
         and its derivatives rather than from, as was formerly
         the usage. In this the word is in agreement with its
         kindred terms, hatred, dislike, dissimilar, contrary,
         repugnant, etc., expressing a relation or an affection
         of the mind to an object.
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   Syn: {Averse}, {Reluctant}, {Adverse}.

   Usage: Averse expresses an habitual, though not of necessity
          a very strong, dislike; as, averse to active pursuits;
          averse to study. Reluctant, a term of the of the will,
          implies an internal struggle as to making some
          sacrifice of interest or feeling; as, reluctant to
          yield; reluctant to make the necessary arrangements; a
          reluctant will or consent. Adverse denotes active
          opposition or hostility; as, adverse interests;
          adverse feelings, plans, or movements; the adverse
          party.
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51 Moby Thesaurus words for "averse":
      abhorrent, afraid, allergic, anti, antipathetic, at odds,
      averse to, backward, balky, contrary, cursory, differing,
      disaffected, disagreeing, disenchanted, disgusted, disinclined,
      disobedient, displeased, forced, fractious, hating, hesitant,
      hostile, ill-disposed, indisposed, indocile, involuntary, loath,
      loathing, mutinous, not charmed, opposed, perfunctory, perverse,
      put off, quailing, recalcitrant, recoiling, refractory, reluctant,
      resistant, shrinking, sulky, sullen, uncongenial, unconsenting,
      uneager, unfriendly, unsympathetic, unwilling