adversative

UK: /ədˈvɜːsətɪv/ US: (ad vûr′sə tiv)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

ad•ver•sa•tive  (ad vûr′sə tiv), adj. 

1. expressing contrariety, opposition, or antithesis:
   "But'' is an adversative conjunction.

n. 

2. an adversative word or proposition.

• Late Latin adversātīvus, equivalent. to adversāt(us) (past participle of adversārī to resist; see adverse, -ate¹) + -īvus -ive
• 1525–35

ad•ver′sa•tive•ly, adv. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

adversative / ədˈvɜːsətɪv/ adjective

1. (of a word, phrase, or clause) implying opposition or contrast. But and although are adversative conjunctions introducing adversative clauses

noun

1. an adversative word or speech element