aversive
adjective
aver·sive
ə-ˈvər-siv 
-ziv
: tending to avoid or causing avoidance of a noxious or punishing stimulus
behavior modification by aversive stimulation
aversively
adverb
aversiveness
noun
Examples of aversive in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Unfortunately, aversive dog training was the norm for years.
—
Dawn Kovell, The Mercury News, 28 Jan. 2025
Drones outperform dogs for hazing bears: A comparison of carnivore aversive conditioning tools.
—Joel Thayer, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025
Today, no Idaho laws or rules govern schools’ use of these aversive techniques, while federal guidance treats them only as a last resort — when a child poses imminent harm.
—Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 26 Jan. 2025
This treatment has been shown to reduce the emotional impact of aversive memories, the neurologist added.
—Melissa Rudy, Fox News, 14 Jan. 2025
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Dawn Kovell, The Mercury News, 28 Jan. 2025
Drones outperform dogs for hazing bears: A comparison of carnivore aversive conditioning tools.
—Joel Thayer, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025
Today, no Idaho laws or rules govern schools’ use of these aversive techniques, while federal guidance treats them only as a last resort — when a child poses imminent harm.
—Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 26 Jan. 2025
This treatment has been shown to reduce the emotional impact of aversive memories, the neurologist added.
—Melissa Rudy, Fox News, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for aversive
Dictionary Entries Near aversive
Cite this Entry
“Aversive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aversive. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
aversive
1 of 2 adjective
aver·sive
ə-ˈvər-siv, -ziv
: tending to avoid or causing avoidance of a noxious or punishing stimulus
behavior modification by aversive conditioning
aversively
adverb
aversiveness
noun
aversive
2 of 2 noun
: a noxious or punishing stimulus used to suppress an undesirable behavior or habit
Aversives enter the picture because, although many "positive" (nonpunitive) methods for stopping self-injurious behaviors have been developed, they don't work in all cases.—Constance Holden, Science
Constance Holden, ScienceLove words? Need even more definitions?
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