aversion towards

USAGE SUMMARY

"aversion towards" is a grammatically correct phrase that is commonly used in written English.
It indicates a feeling of strong dislike or avoidance towards someone or something. Example: Jane had always had an aversion towards spicy food, so she avoided ordering anything with peppers on the menu.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

To feel aversion towards such a force is not bigotry.

The Guardian - Books

Some of us even have an active aversion towards babies and toddlers.

Cornell University

Self- compassion is valuing one's own pursuit of happiness and aversion towards suffering, and behaving in accordance with those values; transforming negative thought habits, attitudes, emotional biases.

Stanford University

Whilst controlling for sample and study characteristics, we find significant evidence for public aversion towards deteriorations of landscape, vegetation and wildlife caused by hydropower projects.

Energy Economics

And now, despite an admitted "childish aversion" towards the press, and a declared love for "the privacy of writing", here he comes again, backing into the limelight, with "Stories from My Life", The Pigeon Tunnel.

The Guardian - Books

Like Alan Greenspan and Ben Bernanke, far too many high-profile microcredit supporters and policymakers also naively bought into the myth of the free market, including its particular aversion towards robust regulation.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

…there may be a case for having greater trust in the pattern, which is strongly supported by empirical research, in the way that most children have strong aversions towards certain foods, but then grow up to become adults who can tolerate and enjoy those same foods.

HuffPost

Others described their fears and aversions towards eating in general or reported that they were unable to eat the food provided at social events.

BMC Gastroenterology

Less certain is the cultural aversion many have towards data privacy.

The Guardian

The fear I carry and the aversion I feel towards governmental departments is due entirely to inter-generational trauma.

The Guardian - Opinion

Saving for a deposit, and that aversion among banks towards high LTV mortgages, continues to be problematic.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider the specific nuance you want to convey. "Aversion towards" implies a strong feeling of dislike coupled with a desire to avoid something. If the context requires a milder term, consider "dislike of" or "lack of enthusiasm for".

Common error

Ensure you consistently use "towards" instead of other prepositions like "to" or "for" when intending to express the specific nuance of "aversion towards". While similar, these prepositions can slightly alter the meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "aversion towards" functions as a prepositional phrase that typically modifies a noun or verb, indicating a strong feeling of dislike or avoidance directed at something. It describes an emotional reaction prompting avoidance, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

32%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "aversion towards" is a grammatically sound and commonly used prepositional phrase that conveys a strong feeling of dislike and avoidance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s suitable for various contexts, particularly in science, news, and academic writing. While alternatives like "antipathy to" or "dislike of" exist, "aversion towards" precisely captures a directed negative sentiment that prompts avoidance. When using this phrase, ensure consistency in preposition usage and consider the specific nuance you wish to convey to enhance the clarity and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

antipathy to

Uses "antipathy" which is a stronger, more formal word for dislike, and "to" instead of "towards".

repugnance for

Indicates a strong feeling of disgust or aversion and uses "for" instead of "towards".

dislike of

Replaces "aversion" with the simpler "dislike" and "towards" with "of".

distaste for

Implies a mild dislike or displeasure, replacing "aversion" with "distaste" and "towards" with "for".

opposition to

Indicates resistance or disagreement rather than just dislike; "to" replaces "towards".

resistance to

Highlights active opposition and uses "to" instead of "towards".

disinclination for

Suggests a lack of willingness or enthusiasm, using "for" instead of "towards".

hostility to

Indicates strong dislike or opposition, more aggressive than a simple aversion; uses "to" instead of "towards".

disfavoring

Expresses disapproval or lack of support, using a gerund form.

reluctance about

Emphasizes hesitation or unwillingness, and uses "about" instead of "towards".

FAQs

What does "aversion towards" mean?

The phrase "aversion towards" describes a strong feeling of dislike or revulsion coupled with a desire to avoid something or someone. It indicates a negative reaction that prompts avoidance.

How can I use "aversion towards" in a sentence?

You can use "aversion towards" to describe someone's feelings about a particular thing. For example: "He developed an aversion towards large crowds after the incident".

What are some alternatives to "aversion towards"?

You can use alternatives like "antipathy to", "dislike of", or "opposition to", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "aversion to" or "aversion towards"?

Both "aversion to" and "aversion towards" are grammatically correct. However, "aversion towards" might subtly suggest a directed feeling or action, whereas "aversion to" is more general.