is averse to

USAGE SUMMARY

"is averse to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to have a strong dislike or aversion towards something. Example: She is averse to taking risks, so she always chooses the safest option for her business.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it remains true, says Mr Roy, that the Brotherhood's back-to-basics ethos is averse to highbrow theology.That aversion certainly doesn't hurt, and it may even help, the Brotherhood as it competes with Mr Gomaa to influence Egyptians.

The Economist

• Epstein is averse to believing in curses.

The New York Times - Sports

He is averse to schmoozing and phones and e-mail.

The New Yorker

Then again, prep style is averse to nitpicking.

The New York Times - Books

Accorsi is averse to trading picks from future drafts.

The New York Times - Sports

Not that this restaurant is averse to frying.

The New York Times - Food

Not that Oldcastle Books is averse to incorporating movie-star faces.

Independent

But Mr Netanyahu is averse to embracing Kadima and its leader.

The Economist

And it's not as if Stern is averse to innovation altogether.

The New Yorker

THERE'S a reason that R.I.M. is averse to the iPhone's glass pad.

The New York Times - Tech

It is not as if Mussina is averse to trying new places.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is averse to" when you want to express a strong dislike or unwillingness towards something, but avoid overusing it in informal contexts where simpler alternatives like "dislikes" or "doesn't like" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Don't confuse "averse" (having a strong dislike) with "adverse" (unfavorable or harmful). "He is averse to spicy food" means he dislikes it, while "adverse weather conditions" means the weather is harmful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is averse to" functions as a predicate adjective describing a subject's strong dislike or unwillingness towards something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is averse to" is a versatile phrase for expressing a strong dislike or unwillingness. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage, particularly in news and media contexts. While effective in formal and neutral settings, consider simpler alternatives in informal conversations. Remember to distinguish "averse" from "adverse" to avoid common writing errors. By understanding these nuances, you can confidently and accurately use "is averse to" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unwilling to

Directly states a lack of willingness.

reluctant to

Highlights hesitation or unwillingness to do something.

hesitant about

Indicates a pause or delay due to uncertainty or reluctance.

disinclined towards

Expresses a lack of inclination or willingness, indicating a milder aversion.

against the idea of

Phrases the aversion as opposition to a specific concept or plan.

opposed to

Suggests a stronger stance of disagreement or resistance.

resistant to

Emphasizes active opposition or unwillingness to accept something.

disposed against

Implies a natural or inherent dislike.

inimical to

Suggests something is harmful or unfavorable.

allergic to

Informal way of expressing a strong dislike.

FAQs

How can I use "is averse to" in a sentence?

You can use "is averse to" to describe someone's strong dislike or unwillingness towards something. For example, "She is averse to taking risks in her investments".

What are some alternatives to "is averse to"?

Some alternatives include "unwilling to", "reluctant to", or "disinclined to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "is averse to" or "is adverse to"?

"Is averse to" is used to describe a strong dislike, while "is adverse to" is grammatically incorrect. The correct usage would be "has an adverse effect on" to describe something harmful.

Is "averse to" formal or informal?

"Averse to" is generally considered a more formal expression. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives like "dislikes" or "doesn't like" may be more appropriate.