adverse

ad-VURSS

meaning in plain English

Something that is adverse is bad for you or works against what you want.

Picture a stormy day that works against your picnic—an adverse vibe that ruins the fun.

for example

She got adverse feedback after the test because her answers were all wrong.

Imagine you’re trying to finish a puzzle but someone keeps taking away your pieces. That’s how adverse things feel—they push back when you’re trying to move forward. The word itself comes from Latin roots meaning ‘turned toward,’ which is why it suggests something turning against you.