Aversively is a term that is not commonly used in everyday language but is still important to understand. It is a word that describes something that is done in a way that causes discomfort, dislike, or avoidance. In this article, we will explore the meaning, origin, and associations of aversively.
Definitions
Aversively is an adverb that describes an action or behavior that is done in a way that is unpleasant, uncomfortable, or unwanted. It is often used to describe something that is done as a punishment or negative reinforcement. For example, a child may be aversively trained not to touch a hot stove by being burned when they do so.
Origin
The word aversively comes from the Latin word “aversus,” which means “turned away” or “averted.” The suffix “-ly” is added to the end to create an adverb. The word first appeared in English in the mid-20th century.
Meaning in different dictionaries
In the Merriam-Webster dictionary, aversively is defined as “in a manner tending to avoid or cause avoidance of a noxious or aversive stimulus.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “in a way that is unpleasant or likely to cause avoidance.”
Associations
Aversively is often associated with negative reinforcement, punishment, and aversion therapy. It is used in psychology and behaviorism to describe the use of unpleasant stimuli to discourage unwanted behavior. It is also associated with avoidance behavior, where an individual actively tries to avoid a particular stimulus or situation.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of aversively include unpleasantly, disagreeably, uncomfortably, and distastefully.
Antonyms
Antonyms of aversively include pleasantly, agreeably, comfortably, and tastefully.
The same root words
The root word of aversively is “aversive,” which is an adjective that describes something that causes avoidance or dislike. Other words that share this root include “aversion,” “averse,” and “avert.”
Example Sentences
- The child was aversively trained not to touch the hot stove by being burned when they did so.
- The aversively loud music made it difficult for me to concentrate on my work.
- The aversively cold weather made me want to stay inside all day.
- The aversively bitter taste of the medicine made it hard for the patient to take it regularly.