adverse
Bad for someone or something; causing harm or a negative result.
Causing or involving bad, harmful, or unfavorable results; not helpful or positive.
Used in law or very formal language to mean that a person, decision, or claim is against another person’s interest or request.
In law or formal contexts, describing a person, claim, or decision that is in opposition to another person’s interest, request, or position.
- Base: adverse
adverse circumstances
1difficult or unfavorable conditions
Difficult or bad conditions in life, work, or another situation that make success hard.
- She achieved a lot in life despite very adverse circumstances.
- The program supports students who come from adverse circumstances.
adverse effect on
1harmful influence on something
A harmful influence that something has on a person, thing, or situation.
- Lack of sleep can have an adverse effect on your concentration.
- The new taxes may have an adverse effect on small businesses.
adverse effects
1harmful results of something
Harmful results or changes that happen because of something, especially a drug, action, or policy.
- The medicine can cause adverse effects such as dizziness and nausea.
- Researchers are studying the long-term adverse effects of air pollution on children.
adverse event
1harmful incident in treatment or trial
In medicine and research, a harmful or unwanted incident that happens during treatment or a study.
- All adverse events must be reported immediately to the ethics committee.
- No serious adverse event was recorded during the clinical trial.
adverse impact
1harmful effect on situation
A bad or harmful effect on a situation, system, or group of people.
- Climate change is already having an adverse impact on coastal communities.
- The scandal had an adverse impact on the company’s reputation.
adverse publicity
1harmful media attention
News or media attention that makes a person or organization look bad to the public.
- The company is trying to reduce the adverse publicity after the product recall.
- Adverse publicity can seriously damage a brand’s image.
adverse reaction
1harmful response to something
A harmful or unwanted response to something, especially a drug, food, or treatment.
- If you notice any adverse reaction after taking the tablets, stop using them and call your doctor.
- She had an adverse reaction to the vaccine and developed a high fever.
adverse weather
1bad or dangerous weather
Bad weather, such as storms, heavy rain, or snow, that makes travel or activities difficult or unsafe.
- Due to adverse weather, the ferry service has been suspended.
- Construction was delayed for several days because of adverse weather.
adverse weather conditions
1difficult or dangerous weather conditions
Specific types of bad weather that make something like travel, flying, or work difficult or unsafe.
- The flight was canceled because of adverse weather conditions at the destination airport.
- Drivers are warned to take care in the adverse weather conditions expected tonight.
in adverse conditions
1in difficult or harmful conditions
In a situation where the surrounding factors are bad, difficult, or harmful.
- The athletes trained in adverse conditions to prepare for the competition.
- The project continued in adverse conditions, including low funding and staff shortages.