fiendishly

fiendishly (comparative more fiendishly, superlative most fiendishly)

more fiendishly (comparative)
most fiendishly (superlative)

At a side door, reclined on a couch, two guards of the haram, with their naked swords grasped in their hands, and features, fiendishly contorted between sleep and dissolution, seemed to menace death to any who should venture to approach.

1832, Jedadiah Cleishbotham [pseudonym; Walter Scott], chapter X, in Tales of My Landlord, Fourth and Last Series. […], volume I (Count Robert of Paris), Edinburgh: […] [Ballantyne and Company] for Robert Cadell; London: Whittaker and Co., →OCLC, page 306:

[…] I was suddenly awakened by a savage looking fellow standing close to my bedside, ordering me and my companion to leave our bed forthwith or suffer the consequences; at the same time using the most blasphemous language, and uttering the most hideous oaths imaginable, while fiendishly striking his huge fists in close proximity to my face.

1884, Eliza R[oxcy] Snow Smith, chapter XXV, in Biography and Family Record of Lorenzo Snow, One of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Ut.: Deseret News Company, printers, →OCLC, page 190:

It was hot there too; big flies buzzed fiendishly, and did not sting, but stabbed.

1899 February, Joseph Conrad, “The Heart of Darkness”, in Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine, volume CLXV, number M, New York, N.Y.: The Leonard Scott Publishing Company, […], →OCLC, part I, page 208:

The terrible spectacle drove for the instant all thought of rebellion from my mind. My very blood froze in my veins and I stood motionless. I heard Hassim laugh grimly behind me. The eyes in the cadaverous face blazed fiendishly at me and I blanched from the concentrated satanic fury in them.

1929 October–December, Robert E[rvin] Howard, “Skull-Face”, in Weird Tales, Indianapolis, Ind.: Popular Fiction Pub. Co., →OCLC; republished as Skull-Face, United Kingdom: Read Books, 2013, →ISBN, chapter 8 (Black Wisdom):

Either the Russians are so fiendishly clever that they've managed to keep one of their agents running in this organization for over twenty years or they're so fiendishly clever that they're sending us false defectors to claim that they have.

2009, Jeremy Duns, Free Agent, London: Simon & Schuster UK, →ISBN, page 78:

In this operation, veins or arteries are taken from various body parts and used to bypass blockages or narrowings in the coronary arteries, those fine, fiddly, yet fiendishly important vital suppliers to the heart muscle itself.

2015, Samer Nashef, The Naked Surgeon: The Power and Peril of Transparency in Medicine, Melbourne, Vic.: Scribe, →ISBN:

Balancing horror and comedy is fiendishly difficult. The two rarely work well together, which is why the successes become so lauded (Evil Dead 2, An American Werewolf In London, Dead Alive).

2017 October 27, Alex McLevy, “Making a Killing: The Brief Life and Bloody Death of the Post-Scream Slasher Revival”, in The A.V. Club, archived from the original on 2018-03-05:

These cross-border value calculations can get fiendishly complicated, says Jack Bobo, director of the University of Nottingham’s Food Systems Institute. Take the EU’s Farm-to -Fork Strategy, which aims to—among other things—ensure that a quarter of Europe’s farmland is organic and reduce fertilizer use by at least 20 percent by 2030. Hitting these goals will probably reduce environmental hidden costs in Europe, but it’s likely it will also end up reducing the overall productivity of European farms.

2023 November 6, Matt Reynolds, “The World's Broken Food System Costs $12.7 Trillion a Year”, in Wired:

Extremely, very in harsh or negative contexts.


as far as one knows

John could be dead as far as I know.

To the best of one's knowledge
to the best of one's knowledge

(idiomatic) To the best of one's knowledge, as far as someone knows about the topic, subject, aspect, or situation.


coxcombically

"Nowadays, the young people sit while their elders stand!" the Abbot succinctly said, riveting a curly-pated enfant de coeur lolling coxcombically beneath the nose of a doating Statilia.

1919, Ronald Firbank, Valmouth, Duckworth, hardback edition, page 88


flat-out

Unlike Bing, GPT-4 usually flat-out refused to take the bait when I tried to get it to talk about consciousness, or get it to provide instructions for illegal or immoral activities, and it treated sensitive queries with kid gloves and nuance.

2023 March 15, Kevin Roose, “GPT-4 Is Exciting and Scary”, in The New York Times:


frontward

en-adv

frontward (comparative more frontward, superlative most frontward)

more frontward (comparative)
most frontward (superlative)


frontwards

frontwards (comparative more frontwards, superlative most frontwards)

more frontwards (comparative)
most frontwards (superlative)


flatfooted

flatfooted (comparative more flatfooted, superlative most flatfooted)

more flatfooted (comparative)
most flatfooted (superlative)

They were caught flatfooted when Clancy filed to enter the race.

Caught mentally flatfooted, Anne couldn't think of a response.

2010, Tami Hoag, Deeper than the Dead, →ISBN:

No one should be caught flatfooted by the lengthening of middle age

2011, David D. Corbett, Portfolio Life: The New Path to Work, Purpose, and Passion After 50, →ISBN:

In contrast, as the crisis unfolded, India stood flatfooted, only reacting after the damage was done.

2014, Luke Patey, The New Kings of Crude, →ISBN:

"He claimed that Jews walk flatfooted like a camel— including me.

1980, Peter Hellman, Avenue of the Righteous, page 82:

Hit take-off board flatfooted in a hard stamp; take-off feet under body with slight dip at knee.

1988, Carmen Tabije Andin, Teaching Physical Education in Philippine Schools, →ISBN, page 147:

Putting the entire foot down at once, rather than landing on the ball of the foot and then lowering the rest of the foot.

The figure came up and squatted flatfooted on his haunches next to Patsy.

2010, F. Paul Wilson, The Touch: Book III of the Adversary Cycle, →ISBN:

Proficient drinkers could spill out an ounce, or an ounce and a half, or two, from the neck of a Solo Soda bottle in the dark, measured to the very dram, refill it with corn whisky, turn it upside down with the thumb placed carefully over the bottle's lip— for a good mix, and luck— and drink it down, flatfooted.

1952, William T. Campbell, Big Beverage, page 269:

(of drinking) Without pausing between swallows.


crappily

crappily (comparative more crappily, superlative most crappily)

more crappily (comparative)
most crappily (superlative)

The computer performed crappily this morning.

(informal) In a crappy manner; poorly, badly.


blues and twos

Originally 1960s police slang, from the blue colour of the lights and the two-tone sound of the siren. Publicised by Blues and Twos, a documentary series broadcast on ITV from 1993.

He glanced at his watch. “Blues and twos,” he said. “I want to get there before the train.” [...] They pulled out of the forecourt at the rear of the police office and drove straight across into Vauxhall Bridge Road, ignoring the one-way circuit, their siren and blue light carving a priority passage through the afternoon traffic.

1990, Graham Ison, A Damned Serious Business, Ulverscroft Large Print, →ISBN, pages 351-352:

If Mondo was alive, he'd be long gone, the ambulance hurtling blues and twos to the nearest hospital.

2003, Val McDermid, The Distant Echo, HarperCollins, →ISBN, page 304:

(chiefly UK, Ireland, informal) [of an emergency vehicle] with the blues and twos switched on


in between

Univerbation of in + between, perhaps in imitation of similar phrases as in the middle of, in the midst of, etc.

Like most human activities, ballooning has sponsored heroes and hucksters and a good deal in between. For every dedicated scientist patiently recording atmospheric pressure and wind speed while shivering at high altitudes, there is a carnival barker with a bevy of pretty girls willing to dangle from a basket or parachute down to earth.

2013 June 7, David Simpson, “Fantasy of navigation”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 188, number 26, page 36:


nutso

nutso (comparative more nutso, superlative most nutso)

more nutso (comparative)
most nutso (superlative)

I'm completely, utterly, nutso in love with that man!

2012, Susan Donovan, He Loves Lucy, →ISBN:

(colloquial) Madly; extremely or obsessively.

I'm working at the ink-jet machine running a job...then I hear a weird noise I but I can't really tell what it is over the sound of the machine right.. .then I think I hear a whimper...all of a sudden my step mom bursts out from her office all nutso saying..."where is your father, where is your father"

2006, Michael Amore, Loosely Based On Last Thursday, →ISBN, page 102:

In there was Captain Ed Cutler, whom every man and woman in Maggie's old command had once seen run nutso in Valhalla.

2014, Stephen Baxter, Terry Pratchett, The Long Mars, →ISBN:


needfully

needfully (comparative more needfully, superlative most needfully)

more needfully (comparative)
most needfully (superlative)

From Middle English nedefully; equivalent to needful + -ly.


nefariously

nefariously (comparative more nefariously, superlative most nefariously)

more nefariously (comparative)
most nefariously (superlative)


fleshly

fleshly (comparative more fleshly, superlative most fleshly)

more fleshly (comparative)
most fleshly (superlative)

From Middle English fleschly, from Old English flǣsċlīċe; equivalent to flesh + -ly.

Syr said Launcelot ye saye that that good knyȝt is my sone That ouȝtest thow to knowe and no man better said the good man / For thow knewest the doughter of kyng Pelles flesshely / and on her thow begattest Galahad / And that was he that at the feest of Pentecost satte in the sege peryllous

1485, Sir Thomas Malory, “ij”, in Le Morte Darthur, book XV:

(archaic) In a sensual way; in a sexual way; carnally.

1992, Adam Thorpe, Ulverton, New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, published 1994, page 24:
And the drunkard is with drink. And the ploughman is with his oxen. And the inhabitant of Ulverton doth loll fleshly abed.


neurotically

neurotically (comparative more neurotically, superlative most neurotically)

more neurotically (comparative)
most neurotically (superlative)

/njʊə̯ˈɹɒtɪklɪ/


fair and square

fair and square (comparative more fair and square, superlative most fair and square)

more fair and square (comparative)
most fair and square (superlative)

We won the game fair and square.

He said they give licenses now to steal — steal folks'es senses away, and then they would steal every thing else, and murder, and tear round into every kind of wickedness. But he didn't ask that. He wanted things done fair and square: he jest wanted to steal horses. He was goin' West, and he thought he could do a good business, and lay up something. If he had a license, he shouldn't be afraid of bein' shot up, or shot.

1885, Marietta Holley, Sweet Cicely; or, Josiah Allen as a politician, page 177:

They had crawled in and staked the land and stood ready to shoot those of us who came in, fair and square, in the Run.

For the "Most Accurate Assessment of an International Situation" the unanimous winner is the Republican U.S. Senate hopeful from California, S.E. Hayakawa. He said, "Of course we should keep the Panama Canal, we stole it fair and square."

1976 October 28, Charlie Waters, quoting S. I. Hayakawa, “First biennial Harold Stassen Awards”, in The Prescott Courier:

"Have it out with him to-night. Fair and square. Out he goes, Edmund, neck and crop. Out, by thunder."

1938, Norman Lindsay, Age of Consent, 1st Australian edition, Sydney, N.S.W.: Ure Smith, published 1962, →OCLC, page 76:


teetotally

teetotally (comparative more teetotally, superlative most teetotally)

more teetotally (comparative)
most teetotally (superlative)

From totally, the reduplicated tee being an intensifier.


ad-hoc

ad-hoc (comparative more ad-hoc, superlative most ad-hoc)

more ad-hoc (comparative)
most ad-hoc (superlative)


cross-border

Working Cross-Border It must be assumed that working cross-border to prevent the spread of HIV/ AIDS is a good thing.

1998, Edna Oppenheimer, Matana Bunnag, Aaron Stern, HIV/AIDS and Cross-Border Migration, →ISBN:

In general, groups working cross-border are much better-funded, and have more capacity, than those working inside Burma.

2007, Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: International Development Committee, DFID asistance to Burmese internally displaced people and refugees on the Thai-Burma border, →ISBN:

The statement acknowledged the challenges and complex issues involved in working 'cross-border' but believed that the concept could be realized (WAPOL 2003a).

2012, Saskia Hufnagel, Clive Harfield, Simon Bronitt, Cross-border Law Enforcement, →ISBN:

Have these additional costs dissuaded you from investing cross-border?

2012, Erwin Nijkeuter, Taxation of Cross-Border Dividends Paid to Individuals from an EU Perspective, →ISBN:

The final decision tool consists of three sections: a general section, a section for hospitals not cooperating cross-border and a section for hospitals that are cooperating with hospitals across a national or regional border.

2013, Issues in Healthcare Technology and Design, →ISBN, page 4:


fivefold

From Middle English fiffold, from Old English fīffeald. Equivalent to five + -fold.


focally

focally (comparative more focally, superlative most focally)

more focally (comparative)
most focally (superlative)


totus porcus

totus porcus (comparative more totus porcus, superlative most totus porcus)

more totus porcus (comparative)
most totus porcus (superlative)

I swallowed the official version totus porcus.

As a founding principle of our trip, Margaret and I decided that if we were going to go, we would go whole hog, totus porcus, super deluxe all the way

1996 February 25, Michael Korda, “The Nile in High Style”, in New York Times, Travel section:

(idiomatic, slang) Completely; unreservedly.


low key

low key (comparative more low key, superlative most low key)

more low key (comparative)
most low key (superlative)

“When I started sleeping on the floor, I thought, ‘Whatever, it’s a mattress, I’ll be fine, I did it when I was a teen,’ but eventually, it actually became a real problem that was low key fucking my life,” Smith told me.

2019 February 5, Maria Yagoda, “Why Do So Many Adult Men Keep Their Mattresses On The Floor?”, in Vice:

In terms of the overall story of the finale, it’s smart how much emphasis the episode puts on the juice in the portal gun, as that’s going to be a major factor in “Rickmurai Jack;” the portal gun is low key the most important invention in Rick’s arsenal, and the episode does a good job of underlining that without belaboring the point.

2021 September 6, Zack Handlen, “Rick And Morty ends its fifth season looking for an escape hatch”, in AV Club:

(informal) Alternative spelling of low-key


unceremoniously

unceremoniously (comparative more unceremoniously, superlative most unceremoniously)

more unceremoniously (comparative)
most unceremoniously (superlative)

Encountering difficulties with the parcels’ unhelpful recipient, the deliveryman unceremoniously dumped the packages in the street outside the door.

Given these operational constraints and a renewed focus on the environment, plans to electrify the [Windermere] branch resurfaced in 2013 when the Department for Transport consented to a £16 million scheme to erect wires by 2024. Unfortunately, it was one of a trio of projects to then be unceremoniously scrapped by former Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling in July 2017, in response to spiralling costs on the Great Western Electrification Programme.

2019 November 20, Paul Stephen, “Lakes and lines offer scenery to savour”, in Rail, page 56:

In an unceremonious manner, abruptly, without the due formalities.


civically

civically (comparative more civically, superlative most civically)

more civically (comparative)
most civically (superlative)


injudiciously

injudiciously (comparative more injudiciously, superlative most injudiciously)

more injudiciously (comparative)
most injudiciously (superlative)

/ˌɪnd͡ʒʊˈdɪʃəslɪ/


coming on

I do scouting for record companies. I've been doing that for coming on three years now.

a. 2003, Jack Osbourne, in Ozzy Osbourne et al., Ordinary People: Our Story, Simon and Schuster (2003), page 285


this way

It's good that he's gone. This way we don't have to argue with him all the time.


unsuccessfully

unsuccessfully (comparative more unsuccessfully, superlative most unsuccessfully)

more unsuccessfully (comparative)
most unsuccessfully (superlative)

Not successfully; without success; to no avail.


face-down

She was sleeping face-down on the sofa.

He placed the page face-down on the table so that we could not see its contents.

(of a person or object) In a manner such that the face, front, or surface which is normally directed forward for viewing is positioned downward.

йөҙтүбән

such that the face or front is positioned downward


commutual

Since love our hearts and Hymen did our hands
Unite commutual in most sacred bands.

c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene ii]:


angerly

angerly (comparative more angerly, superlative most angerly)

more angerly (comparative)
most angerly (superlative)

From Middle English angerly; equivalent to anger + -ly.


forlornly

forlornly (comparative more forlornly, superlative most forlornly)

more forlornly (comparative)
most forlornly (superlative)

Her arms lay on the table in front of her, her head rested on them, with her hair straying over the littered pages of the novel. She was weeping forlornly, steadily.

1953, John Wyndham, The Kraken Wakes, page 163:


forevermore

/fəˈɹɛv.ə.mɔː/

/fɔːɹˈɛv.ɚ.mɔːɹ/

Poor Pope; and I am told he is fast growing bankrupt too; and will, in a measurable term of years (a great way within the ‘three hundred’), not have a penny to make his pot boil! His old rheumatic back will then get to rest; and himself and his stage-properties sleep well in Chaos forevermore.

1843 April, Thomas Carlyle, “ch. I, Phenomena”, in Past and Present, American edition, Boston, Mass.: Charles C[offin] Little and James Brown, published 1843, →OCLC, book III (The Modern Worker):

A frozen sun forevermore the same.

At any or all times in the future; forever

ikuisesti

at any or all times in the future; forever


en clair

As per Berchtold's instructions, Giesl stopped in the border town of Semlin and wired the news immediately, en clair, such that Tisza, in Budapest, learned of Serbia's rejection even before 7 PM.

2014, Sean McMeekin, 7/1/2014: Countdown to War, page 201:

(of the transmission of a signal) in the clear; without any encryption


foxily

foxily (comparative more foxily, superlative most foxily)

more foxily (comparative)
most foxily (superlative)


foully

foully (comparative more foully, superlative most foully)

more foully (comparative)
most foully (superlative)


fucken

(Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, US, slang, informal, vulgar) Alternative spelling of fucking


heroically

heroically (comparative more heroically, superlative most heroically)

more heroically (comparative)
most heroically (superlative)


head down, bum up

From an assumed position of strenuous work. Compare nose to the grindstone.

Hadn't heard a thing. Hard at work, head down, bum up.

2007 April 6, Gold Coast Bulletin, "Call of Sea Sirens"

(UK, slang) Hard at work; preparing oneself to work hard.


fourfold

From Middle English fourfold, fourefold, from Old English fēowerfeald. Equivalent to four + -fold. Cognate with Dutch viervoud, Gothic 𐍆𐌹𐌳𐌿𐍂𐍆𐌰𐌻𐌸𐍃 (fidurfalþs).

And he shall restore the Lambe fourefold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pittie.

1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, 2 Samuel 12:6:


rightfully

rightfully (comparative more rightfully, superlative most rightfully)

more rightfully (comparative)
most rightfully (superlative)

From Middle English ryghtefully, equivalent to rightful + -ly.

[T]he only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant.

1859, John Stuart Mill, “Introductory”, in On Liberty, London: John W[illiam] Parker and Son, […], →OCLC, page 22:

In accordance with what is right or just; fairly.

Ne euer will it [King Arthur's sword] breake, ne euer bend. / Wherefore Morddure it rightfully is hight.

1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book II, Canto VIII”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC, stanza 21, page 296:


dismissively

dismissively (comparative more dismissively, superlative most dismissively)

more dismissively (comparative)
most dismissively (superlative)


honorably

honorably (comparative more honorably, superlative most honorably)

more honorably (comparative)
most honorably (superlative)

There is much to regret about America's failure in Vietnam. The reasons are etched in black marble on the Washington Mall. But we had believed the cause that America had asked us to serve in Vietnam was a worthy one, and millions who defended it had done so honorably.

1999, John McCain, Faith of My Fathers, New York: Random House, →ISBN, →LCCN, →OCLC, page 348:


marvellously

marvellously (comparative more marvellously, superlative most marvellously)

more marvellously (comparative)
most marvellously (superlative)

From Middle English merveilously; equivalent to marvellous + -ly.

The plan worked marvellously, even better than we had expected.

[N]eyther hys ſeruantes nor hymſelf ſuffered to gone^([sic – meaning go?]) oute, parceiuyng well ſo greate a thyng without his knowledge not begun for noughte, comparyng this maner preſẽ[n]t with this laſt nightes chere, ĩ[n] ſo few houres ſo gret a chaunge marueylouſlye miſliked.

c. 1513 (date written), Thomas More, “The History of King Richard the Thirde (Vnfinished) […]”, in Wyllyam Rastell [i.e., William Rastell], editor, The Workes of Sir Thomas More Knyght, […], London: […] Iohn Cawod, Iohn Waly, and Richarde Tottell, published 30 April 1557, →OCLC, pages 41–42:

I groaned with hunger. I had seen a marvellously large penny loaf at a baker's—the largest I could possibly get for the price.

1899, Knut Hamsun, “Part II”, in George Egerton [pseudonym; Mary Chavelita Dunne Bright], transl., Hunger […], London: Leonard Smithers and Co […], →OCLC, page 116:


forrit

I was just standin looking about me amang the lang hags that lead out frae the head o' the North Grain, and considering what could be wort of a' the sheep, when I noticed my dog, Reaver, gaun coursing away forrit as he had been setting a fox.

1817, James Hogg, The Brownie of Bodsbeck, published 1833, page 16:

1828, "Mansie Wauch" (David Macbeth Moir), The Life of Mansie Wauch, Tailor in Dalkeith, page 132,
All o' a sudden I sees a light coming dancing forrit amang the trees; and my hair began to stand up on end. Then, in the next moment, save us a'! I sees anither light, and forrit, forrit they baith cam, like the een of some great fiery monster, let loose frae the pit o' darkness by its maister, to seek whom it might devour.

Lang or that, she had had a wean to a dragoon; she hadnae come forrit^([presented as a communicant]) for maybe thretty year; and bairns had seen her mumblin' to hersel' up on Key's Loan in the gloamin', whilk was an unco time an' place for a God-fearin' woman.

1887, Robert Louis Stevenson, The Merry Men & Other Stories, published 2006, page 67:


poolside

Andy Warhol was lunching poolside, amid the palm trees and exotic bird-of-paradise flowers.

1989, Douglas Gomery, “Hollywood's Business”, in American Media: The Wilson Quarterly Reader, page 93:

Turn on your TV pretty much any weekend and click through the channels, and soon you'll see an infomercial featuring a real estate genius sitting poolside at a swank vacation resort and explaining his simple system for getting rich, which he has decided, out of generosity, to share with everybody in the world.

2006, Dave Barry, Dave Barry's Money Secrets:

After I arrived in Orange County on Saturday morning, Alissa and I spent most of our day talking poolside at her friend Kathy's house where I would stay for the weekend.

2015, Matthew Jones, From Mushrooms to the Messiah:


volitionally

If, on the other hand, the external impression be also felt, then the mind, according to its psychological laws, connects volitionally with it many other conceptions, the internal impressions of which can produce through the motor nerves such sentient actions as the unfelt external impression could not have developed at all, or, at least, not in combination with the will of the animal.

1851, Johann August Unzer, The Principles of physiology, page 201:

The people in all of these examples use attention volitionally

1998, Richard B. Ivry, The Two Sides of Perception, page 123:

Must a person endorse, be satisfied with, or at least fail to feel alienated from what is volitionally necessary and what is inescapable if these are to be included within her self-conception?

2005, John Christman, Autonomy and the Challenges to Liberalism: New Essays, page 86:


scherzando

scherzando (comparative more scherzando, superlative most scherzando)

more scherzando (comparative)
most scherzando (superlative)

(music) In a playful or sportive manner.


timorously

timorously (comparative more timorously, superlative most timorously)

more timorously (comparative)
most timorously (superlative)


bang to rights

bang to rights (not generally comparable, comparative more bang to rights, superlative most bang to rights)

more bang to rights (comparative)
most bang to rights (superlative)

From bang (“completely”) + to rights (“properly”). Originally US; attested from the start of the 20th century.

compound

We had a man once who got caught with a bundle of railroad stocks.
They got him bang to rights and would have shoved him, only[…] when he swore he’d found them, they couldn’t prove he hadn’t.

1910 December, George Allan England, “The Steeled Conscience”, in The Railroad Man’s Magazine, New York: Frank A. Munsey Co., page 188:

The silk! Hide it! Throw it away! If they get us with that—we’re bang to rights.

1919 December 2, Charles W. Tyler, “Raw Silk”, in Detective Stories Magazine, volume XXVIII, New York: Street & Smith, page 29:

Looking at the evidence, I’d assumed that the hapless pair was bang to rights and that we’d have little trouble placing him on remand and giving the law-abiding residents of Surrey a brief respite.

2012, Officer ‘A’, The Crime Factory: The Shocking True Story of a Front Line CID Detective, Edinburgh: Mainstream, page 218:

(now chiefly British, idiomatic) Red-handed, (caught) in the act.

Once, after a spammer trolled Nanae, accusing antis of having no life, Mad Pierre sarcastically responded that the spammer was correct. ¶ “Damn, you’ve got us bang to rights. We have no lives. None. At all.”

2004, Brian S. McWilliams, Spam Kings, Sebastopol, California: O’Reilly Media, published 2005, →ISBN, page 69:

Tyler tries to dismiss Vidal's characterization of him as a pseudo-intellectual buffoon, but succeeds only in demonstrating that Vidal had him bang to rights.

2007, Neil Pearson, Obelisk: A History of Jack Kahane and the Obelisk Press, page 479:

He wished he were in London, where a girl in a minicab would set him bang to rights.

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see bang (adverb), to rights.


straight dinkum

“Say, cross my heart straight dinkum.”

This morning, I promise cross my heart straight Dinkum (is that right?) will be the last, the very last, of our awful moments.

1983, John Middleton Murry, The Letters of John Middleton Murry to Katherine Mansfield, page 178:

[…]she said scornfully, “One of the girls gave it to you. Tell me at once who it was.”
“Cripes, no, straight dinkum. I just picked it up.”

1990, Norman Lindsay, edited by Keith Wingrove, Norman Lindsay on Art, Life, and Literature, page 41:

(Australia, New Zealand, slang) Truly, honestly.


me three

A pun, based on a jocular re-interpretation of me too as me two. Can be continued as me four, me five, and so on.

“...Come if you can—he’d like that a lot.” / “Me, too.” / “Me, three.” She gave a girlish giggle and unlocked her door.

1982, Richard Kluger, Un-American Activities, Doubleday Publishing, page 524

“I hate saying good-bye,” Lulu said sadly. / “Me too,” Pam said. / “Me three,” Anna said.

1995, Jeanne Betancourt, Give Me Back My Pony, Scholastic Paperbacks,, →ISBN, page 16:

Perhaps a first worker complained about an aspect of their work environment, and others chimed in—Me too, me three!

2006, Michelle Murphy, Sick Building Syndrome and the Problem of Uncertainty: Environmental Politics, Technoscience, and Women Workers, Duke University Press, page 1

(idiomatic, humorous) Used to express agreement, after someone has already said "me too." Can be continued as "me four," "me five," and so on.


testily

en-adv

testily (comparative more testily, superlative most testily)

more testily (comparative)
most testily (superlative)

[…]thinking it urgent to say something, I asked him presently if he felt any cold draught from the door, which was behind him.
"No, no!" he responded shortly and somewhat testily.

1847 October 16, Currer Bell [pseudonym; Charlotte Brontë], chapter XXXIII, in Jane Eyre. An Autobiography. […], volume (please specify |volume=I to III), London: Smith, Elder, and Co., […], →OCLC:

`We have been looking for a mystery, and we certainly seem to have found one.' `What do I make of it? Why, that your poor dear father was off his head, of course,' I answered, testily.

1886 October – 1887 January, H[enry] Rider Haggard, She: A History of Adventure, London: Longmans, Green, and Co., published 1887, →OCLC:

"Sit ye down, I'm sayin'," said Uncle Jobson testily.

1930, Norman Lindsay, Redheap, Sydney, N.S.W.: Ure Smith, published 1965, →OCLC, page 43:

'Oh, for heaven's sake,' said Prak and died testily.

1995, Douglas Adams, The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy: a Trilogy in Five Parts, →ISBN, page 458:

In a testy way; in the manner of someone who is testy.


insouciantly

insouciantly (comparative more insouciantly, superlative most insouciantly)

more insouciantly (comparative)
most insouciantly (superlative)

A majority of the camera and sound and makeup crew are female, but a lot of these, too, have a similar look: 30ish, makeupless, insouciantly pretty, wearing faded jeans and old running shoes and black T-shirts, and with lush well-conditioned hair tied carelessly out of the way so that strands tend to escape and trail and have to be chuffed out of the eyes periodically or brushed away with the back of a ringless hand […]

1997, David Foster Wallace, “David Lynch keeps his head”, in A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again, Kindle edition, Little, Brown Book Group:


ad modum Donders

Vision was normal ad modum Donders.

(neurology) Of vision, by the Donders standards.


manipulatively

manipulatively (comparative more manipulatively, superlative most manipulatively)

more manipulatively (comparative)
most manipulatively (superlative)


messily

messily (comparative more messily, superlative most messily)

more messily (comparative)
most messily (superlative)

The Commander's aim was off sending it messily over the back of the sensor officer's bulbous head instead.

2016, A.K. Brown, Jumpstart (Champagne Universe Series: Book 1), page 19:


maniacally

maniacally (comparative more maniacally, superlative most maniacally)

more maniacally (comparative)
most maniacally (superlative)

Marquise was scissoring his arms back and forth in the air as if he were weaving on an invisible loom; he was telling them a story, maniacally.

2008, Jesmyn Ward, Where the Line Bleeds, Bloomsbury (2018), page 116:


full-bore

The car raced full-bore into oncoming traffic.


doubtlessly

doubtlessly (comparative more doubtlessly, superlative most doubtlessly)

more doubtlessly (comparative)
most doubtlessly (superlative)

From Middle English doutelesly, dowtelesly, equivalent to doubtless + -ly.

There are doubtlessly more insects than mammals.

(sometimes proscribed) Without question; indubitably.

Some powers diuine, or els infernall, mixt
Their angry ſeedes at his conception:
For he was neuer ſprong of humaine race,
Since with the ſpirit of his fearefull pride,
He dares so doubtleſly reſolue of rule.

c. 1587–1588, [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. […] The First Part […], 2nd edition, part 1, London: […] [R. Robinson for] Richard Iones, […], published 1592, →OCLC; reprinted as Tamburlaine the Great (A Scolar Press Facsimile), Menston, Yorkshire, London: Scolar Press, 1973, →ISBN, Act II, scene vi:

(obsolete) Without feeling doubt, without misgivings.


thoughtlessly

thoughtlessly (comparative more thoughtlessly, superlative most thoughtlessly)

more thoughtlessly (comparative)
most thoughtlessly (superlative)

He thoughtlessly invited her to come jogging, as he knew she hated exercise.

The railway ran through the resort's narrow streets up to Weymouth Quay station, with thoughtlessly parked vehicles sometimes having to be bumped out of the way.

2023 December 27, Stephen Roberts, “Bradshaw's Britain: the way to Weymouth”, in RAIL, number 999, page 55:


obscurely

obscurely (comparative more obscurely, superlative most obscurely)

more obscurely (comparative)
most obscurely (superlative)

I vvill this Night, / in ſeuerall Hands, in at his VVindovves throvv, / As if they came from ſeuerall Citizens, / VVritings, all tending to the great opinion / That Rome holds of his Name: vvherein obſcurely / Cæſars Ambition ſhall be glanced at.

1599 (first performance), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Iulius Cæsar”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene ii], page 112, column 2:


for heaven's sake

Don't ever use the hood on your anorak; and, if you do, for heaven's sake don't pull the string tight so that you peep out like a little baby in a siren suit.

1980, Bill Oddie, Bill Oddie's Little Black Bird Book, page 61:

Labour frontbencher Louise Haigh (Shadow Transport Secretary for heaven's sake!) initially lambasted TOCs before the handful of specialist rail commentators fell on her tweets and she changed her tune, refocusing her fire on Government.

2023 August 9, Nigel Harris, “Comment: Disinterested and dishonest”, in RAIL, number 989, page 3:

(idiomatic, euphemistic) Expresses frustration, exasperation, annoyance, or the urgency of an instruction.

Well, for heaven's sake! Look who's here! Good to see you again!

(idiomatic, euphemistic) Expresses surprise, sometimes pleasant.


inaudibly

The cat scampered inaudibly across the floor.

In a manner which is incapable of being heard or not loud enough to be heard.


oversea

/ˌəʊ.vəˈsiː/

[ˌəʊ̯.vəˈsiː]

/ˌɐʉ.vəˈsiː/

[ˌɐʉ̯.vɐˈsiː]

From Middle English over-se, over see, ouer sea, from Old English ofer sǣ (literally “over/across (the) sea”); equivalent to over + sea. Compare West Frisian oerseesk, Dutch overzee, German Übersee, Danish oversøisk.

inh

(chiefly British) Alternative form of overseas


treacherously

en-adv

treacherously (comparative more treacherously, superlative most treacherously)

more treacherously (comparative)
most treacherously (superlative)

The former spy behaved treacherously.


presumably

presumably (comparative more presumably, superlative most presumably)

more presumably (comparative)
most presumably (superlative)

Presumably, he will attend the opening.

Capello made a change on the hour which was presumably enforced by injury as the excellent Young was replaced by Stewart Downing.

2011, Phil McNulty, Euro 2012: Montenegro 2-2 England:

Yet this is the level of [neural] organisation that does the actual thinking—and is, presumably, the seat of consciousness.

2013 August 3, “The machine of a new soul”, in The Economist, volume 408, number 8847:


give or take

First use appears c. 1958. See cite below.

esetleg valamivel/valamennyivel több vagy kevesebb

He was six feet tall, give or take.

Estimate Lakenheath twelve thirty hours. Give or take a few minutes, natch.

(informal) Approximately; plus or minus some unknown amount.

six months, give or take a few days

Individual episodes are still thrilling and often quite striking, give or take some pitch-black battle scenes. But the gradual ramping up of the plotting that has grown steadily in the past three seasons crossed some invisible Maginot line this year, where the formerly acceptable trade-offs of focus for fun are no longer quite so taken for granted.

2019 May 19, Alex McLevy, “The final Game Of Thrones brings a pensive but simple meditation about stories (newbies)”, in The A.V. Club, archived from the original on 2019-05-22:

(informal) Approximately; within a certain margin of error.


freehand

The grafts were cut freehand with a large knife, which made it difficult to standardize the thickness, in spite of instruments created especially for the purpose.

2022, Lindsey Fitzharris, The Facemaker, page 149:

Using the hand without any helping device.


neva

Pronunciation spelling
pronunciation spelling

(African-American Vernacular, Yankee dialect, UK) Pronunciation spelling of never.

African-American Vernacular; Yankee dialect; African-American Vernacular; Yankee dialect


reflectively

reflectively (comparative more reflectively, superlative most reflectively)

more reflectively (comparative)
most reflectively (superlative)

"I should say yes," agreed George. "And talk about speed!" he added. "Wow! One ball he threw soaked me in the ear. I can feel it yet!" and he rubbed the side of his head reflectively.

1912, Stratemeyer Syndicate, chapter 1, in Baseball Joe on the School Nine:

Blake picked his teeth reflectively with the point of a clasp knife.

1945, Tom Ronan, Strangers on the Ophir, Sydney: Angus and Robertson, page 110:


timeously

timeously (comparative more timeously, superlative most timeously)

more timeously (comparative)
most timeously (superlative)

We must, of course, diligently and timeously pursue every avenue of investigation occurring in Gzilt space.

2012, Iain M. Banks, The Hydrogen Sonata, chapter eleven (S −17)

(Scotland and South Africa) In a timely manner.


unawarely

unawarely (comparative more unawarely, superlative most unawarely)

more unawarely (comparative)
most unawarely (superlative)

For quotations using this term, see Citations:unawarely.

(rare) Without being aware; inadvertently.


meanly

meanly (comparative meanlier or more meanly, superlative meanliest or most meanly)

meanlier (comparative)
more meanly (comparative)
meanliest (superlative)
most meanly (superlative)

From Middle English meneli, meneliche, equivalent to mean + -ly.

Iphicrates and Marius were meanly born.

1624, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert Burton], The Anatomy of Melancholy: […], 2nd edition, Oxford, Oxfordshire: […] John Lichfield and James Short, for Henry Cripps, →OCLC, partition II, section 3, member 2:

Humbly, of or from low social status; basely.

He meanly refused to ever make a charitable donation.


departmentally

In a departmental manner; affecting departments


demoniacally

demoniacally (comparative more demoniacally, superlative most demoniacally)

more demoniacally (comparative)
most demoniacally (superlative)


discreditably

discreditably (comparative more discreditably, superlative most discreditably)

more discreditably (comparative)
most discreditably (superlative)


disappointingly

disappointingly (comparative more disappointingly, superlative most disappointingly)

more disappointingly (comparative)
most disappointingly (superlative)

I spent countless hours revising, but, disappointingly, I still failed the exam.


disobediently

disobediently (comparative more disobediently, superlative most disobediently)

more disobediently (comparative)
most disobediently (superlative)


dissolutely

dissolutely (comparative more dissolutely, superlative most dissolutely)

more dissolutely (comparative)
most dissolutely (superlative)


disbelievingly

disbelievingly (comparative more disbelievingly, superlative most disbelievingly)

more disbelievingly (comparative)
most disbelievingly (superlative)

"How much do you want?" I looked at him disbelievingly.

1958, A.G. Yates, The Cold Dark Hours, Sydney: Horwitz, published 1963, page 51:


disagreeably

disagreeably (comparative more disagreeably, superlative most disagreeably)

more disagreeably (comparative)
most disagreeably (superlative)

Detie was really far from easy in her mind about what she was doing, which is why she spoke so disagreeably[.]

1956 [1880], Johanna Spyri, Heidi, translation of original by Eileen Hall, page 48:

Should the Court simply read abortion rights out of the Constitution, so that other institutions of society are free and able to make policy on procreation? Or, has America long since adapted, even if disagreeably, to the precedents?

2021, Lyle Denniston: The abortion rights reckoning, in: Lyle Denniston Law News, November 24 2021


disarmingly

disarmingly (comparative more disarmingly, superlative most disarmingly)

more disarmingly (comparative)
most disarmingly (superlative)

The reporter smiled disarmingly.

1965, James Holledge, What Makes a Call Girl?, London: Horwitz Publications, page 81:


disruptively

disruptively (comparative more disruptively, superlative most disruptively)

more disruptively (comparative)
most disruptively (superlative)


deductively

deductively (comparative more deductively, superlative most deductively)

more deductively (comparative)
most deductively (superlative)

a priori#Adverb[Appendix:Glossary#broadly|broadly]] synonymous outside of philosophic arcanity>

In a deductive manner; by using deduction.


divisively

divisively (comparative more divisively, superlative most divisively)

more divisively (comparative)
most divisively (superlative)


disjointedly

disjointedly (comparative more disjointedly, superlative most disjointedly)

more disjointedly (comparative)
most disjointedly (superlative)

On the thirteenth day I drank some more water, and dozed and thought disjointedly of eating and of vague impossible plans of escape.

1898, H.G. Wells, The War of the Worlds, London: William Heinemann, page 236:


downheartedly

downheartedly (comparative more downheartedly, superlative most downheartedly)

more downheartedly (comparative)
most downheartedly (superlative)


disapprovingly

disapprovingly (comparative more disapprovingly, superlative most disapprovingly)

more disapprovingly (comparative)
most disapprovingly (superlative)


distally

distally (comparative more distally, superlative most distally)

more distally (comparative)
most distally (superlative)

The closest affinities of the Jubulaceae are with the Lejeuneaceae. The two families share in common: (a) elaters usually 1-spiral, trumpet-shaped and fixed to the capsule valves, distally[…]

1992, Rudolf M[athias] Schuster, The Hepaticae and Anthocerotae of North America: East of the Hundredth Meridian, volume V, Chicago, Ill.: Field Museum of Natural History, →ISBN, page 4:


doubtingly

doubtingly (comparative more doubtingly, superlative most doubtingly)

more doubtingly (comparative)
most doubtingly (superlative)


dolorously

dolorously (comparative more dolorously, superlative most dolorously)

more dolorously (comparative)
most dolorously (superlative)

From Middle English dolerousely, dolorouxly, dolorusly; equivalent to dolorous + -ly.


distastefully

distastefully (comparative more distastefully, superlative most distastefully)

more distastefully (comparative)
most distastefully (superlative)

Near-synonym: unpleasantly

The soup was distastefully crammed with every spice from the spice cabinet.

The meeting was distastefully crammed with trivial agenda items.


dominantly

dominantly (comparative more dominantly, superlative most dominantly)

more dominantly (comparative)
most dominantly (superlative)


doltishly

doltishly (comparative more doltishly, superlative most doltishly)

more doltishly (comparative)
most doltishly (superlative)


disloyally

disloyally (comparative more disloyally, superlative most disloyally)

more disloyally (comparative)
most disloyally (superlative)


distractedly

distractedly (comparative more distractedly, superlative most distractedly)

more distractedly (comparative)
most distractedly (superlative)

[S]he flaps distractedly past us in a splather of muddy spume.

1934, Henry G. Lamond, An Aviary on the Plains, Sydney: Angus and Robertson, page 147:

Bradly had laid out rice, potatoes, tomatoes and cheese, and was juggling distractedly among these matters.

1938, Norman Lindsay, Age of Consent, 1st Australian edition, Sydney, N.S.W.: Ure Smith, published 1962, →OCLC, page 202:


dismally

dismally (comparative more dismally, superlative most dismally)

more dismally (comparative)
most dismally (superlative)

The ribs of the few horses showed dismally.

1898, H.G. Wells, The War of the Worlds, London: William Heinemann, page 291:

Outside an owl was hooting most dismally in the darkness.

1925 July – 1926 May, A[rthur] Conan Doyle, “(please specify the chapter number)”, in The Land of Mist (eBook no. 0601351h.html), Australia: Project Gutenberg Australia, published April 2019:

Boris Johnson's speech to the nation on Sunday May 10 was rambly, incoherent, and he failed dismally in his attempt to sound Churchillian.

2020 May 20, Christian Wolmar, “Clarity is required on social distancing and the railways”, in Rail, page 50:


disinterestedly

disinterestedly (comparative more disinterestedly, superlative most disinterestedly)

more disinterestedly (comparative)
most disinterestedly (superlative)

Maybe, however, she thinks him simply disinterestedly interested in human virtue but unable to regard it, as so many do, as a guarantee against The Thing – cruel fate which is indifferent to theological distinctions.

1982, Lawrence Durrell, Constance (Avignon Quintet), Faber & Faber, published 2004, page 929:

In a disinterested manner; impartially, dispassionately.


distressingly

distressingly (comparative more distressingly, superlative most distressingly)

more distressingly (comparative)
most distressingly (superlative)

It shook the girl distressingly, but she made no sign; only she took one swift look at Andrew, and noted that he had suddenly changed from a boy into a man, with a brave, grave face.

1907, Barbara Baynton, edited by Sally Krimmer and Alan Lawson, Human Toll (Portable Australian Authors: Barbara Baynton), St Lucia: University of Queensland Press, published 1980, page 203:

All this was extraordinarily distasteful to Churchill.[…]Never before had he felt such repulsion when the vicar displayed his characteristic bluntness or coarseness of speech. In the present connexion—or rather as a transition from the subject that started their conversation—such talk had been distressingly out of place.

1918, W[illiam] B[abington] Maxwell, chapter XII, in The Mirror and the Lamp, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC:

In a distressing manner; so as to cause distress.


distributively

distributively (comparative more distributively, superlative most distributively)

more distributively (comparative)
most distributively (superlative)


dolefully

dolefully (comparative more dolefully, superlative most dolefully)

more dolefully (comparative)
most dolefully (superlative)

From Middle English dolfully, dolefulliche, deolfulliche, equivalent to doleful + -ly.


dowdily

dowdily (comparative more dowdily, superlative most dowdily)

more dowdily (comparative)
most dowdily (superlative)


disreputably

disreputably (comparative more disreputably, superlative most disreputably)

more disreputably (comparative)
most disreputably (superlative)


distrustfully

distrustfully (comparative more distrustfully, superlative most distrustfully)

more distrustfully (comparative)
most distrustfully (superlative)


disgracefully

disgracefully (comparative more disgracefully, superlative most disgracefully)

more disgracefully (comparative)
most disgracefully (superlative)

'I have been disgracefully imposed upon.'

1956 [1880], Johanna Spyri, Heidi, translation of original by Eileen Hall, page 94:


drowsily

drowsily (comparative more drowsily, superlative most drowsily)

more drowsily (comparative)
most drowsily (superlative)

She wakened in sharp panic, bewildered by the grotesquerie of some half-remembered dream in contrast with the harshness of inclement fact, drowsily realizing that since she had fallen asleep it had come on to rain smartly out of a shrouded sky.

1914 November, Louis Joseph Vance, “An Outsider […]”, in Munsey’s Magazine, volume LIII, number II, New York, N.Y.: The Frank A[ndrew] Munsey Company, […], published 1915, →OCLC, chapter II (Burglary), page 378, column 1:


dorsally

dorsally (comparative more dorsally, superlative most dorsally)

more dorsally (comparative)
most dorsally (superlative)

The origin of each tube is situated closer to the older of each two consecutive varices, and the tube is bent dorsally and slightly posteriorly.

1976, George E. Radwin, Murex Shells of the World: An Illustrated Guide to the Muricidae:


dotingly

dotingly (comparative more dotingly, superlative most dotingly)

more dotingly (comparative)
most dotingly (superlative)


drearily

drearily (comparative more drearily, superlative most drearily)

more drearily (comparative)
most drearily (superlative)

From Middle English drerily, from Old English drēoriġlīċe; equivalent to dreary + -ly.


domestically

domestically (comparative more domestically, superlative most domestically)

more domestically (comparative)
most domestically (superlative)

Athletic have been showing signs of fatigue domestically and they never quite seemed to reach the same pitch of intensity that had so unsettled Manchester United and Schalke 04 in earlier rounds.

2012 May 9, Jonathan Wilson, “Europa League: Radamel Falcao's Atlético Madrid rout Athletic Bilbao”, in the Guardian:

(sports) at home, playing in one's home ground


drily

drily (comparative more drily, superlative most drily)

more drily (comparative)
most drily (superlative)

‘Are you going?’ said Mr Chester, rising with a graceful indolence. ‘Let me light you down the stairs.’
‘Pray keep your seat,’ returned the other drily, ‘I know the way.’ So, waving his hand slightly, and putting on his hat as he turned upon his heel, he went clanking out as he had come, shut the door behind him, and tramped down the echoing stairs.
‘Pah! A very coarse animal, indeed!’ said Mr Chester, composing himself in the easy-chair again. ‘A rough brute. Quite a human badger!’

1841, Charles Dickens, chapter 12, in Barnaby Rudge:

Füssli […] gives an account of the painter which is largely occupied with a consideration of his masterpiece, the ‘Battle of Waterloo.’ He comments upon the prominence given to Wellington in the picture, and rather drily remarks […] that the rearward position assigned Blücher is not an ungraceful tribute to Germany ! the intention undoubtedly being ‘der deutschen Bescheidenheit ein Compliment zu machen.’

1900, Ernest William Radford, “ATKINSON, John Augustus”, in Dictionary of National Biography, volume 2, page 224:

It was not until 1889, however, that Nat Goodwin's talent as a comedian of the “legitimate” type began to be recognized. From that time he appeared in a number of plays designed to display his drily humorous method, such as Brander Matthews' and George H. Jessop's A Gold Mine, Henry Guy Carleton's A Gilded Fool and Ambition, Clyde Fitch’s Nathan Hale, H. V. Esmond's When We Were Twenty-one, &c.

1911, “GOODWIN, Nathaniel Carl”, in Encyclopædia Britannica, volume 12, page 239:

Haines, who had been laughing guardedly, walked on beside Stephen and said :
— We oughtn’t to laugh, I suppose. He’s rather blasphemous. I’m not a believer myself, that is to say. Still his gaiety takes the harm out of it somehow, doesn’t it? What did he call it? Joseph the Joiner?
— The ballad of Joking Jesus, Stephen answered.
— O, Haines said, you have heard it before?
— Three times a day, after meals, Stephen said drily.

1922, James Joyce, Ulysses, Part I: The Telemachiad, Episode 1: Telemachus, page 19:

Of speech, in a dry manner; with dry humour.


dizzily

dizzily (comparative more dizzily, superlative most dizzily)

more dizzily (comparative)
most dizzily (superlative)

I looked dizzily, and beheld a wide expanse of ocean, whose waters wore so inky a hue as to bring at once to my mind the Nubian geographer's account of the Mare Tenebrarum.

1841, Edgar Allan Poe, A Descent into the Maelström:

The Australians had seen it coming—Singapore's fall and the inevitable sequel, the Japanese air attack on the Australian mainland […]. But it had happened dizzily fast.

1942 March 2, “Feeling the Crunch”, in Time:

1977, Hansard, Scotland and Wales Bill, 15 February, 1977, https://web.archive.org/web/20190212095659/https://www.hansard-corpus.org/
The Lord President can not avoid our pointing out that the Government's position has shifted dizzily from point to point during these debates.


drunkenly

drunkenly (comparative more drunkenly, superlative most drunkenly)

more drunkenly (comparative)
most drunkenly (superlative)

O, spare me not, my brother Edward's son,
For that I was his father Edward's son;
That blood already, like the pelican,
Hast thou tapp'd out and drunkenly caroused:

1595 December 9 (first known performance), William Shakespeare, “The life and death of King Richard the Second”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, (please specify the act number in uppercase Roman numerals, and the scene number in lowercase Roman numerals):

[…] there, tipping drunkenly over the top of dense growth, were the totem poles of Gittex.

1941, Emily Carr, chapter 9, in Klee Wyck:


dogmatically

dogmatically (comparative more dogmatically, superlative most dogmatically)

more dogmatically (comparative)
most dogmatically (superlative)


distantly

distantly (comparative more distantly, superlative most distantly)

more distantly (comparative)
most distantly (superlative)

The horizon was distantly visible in the grey light of dawn.

"What do you want?" she said distantly.

"Don't go," he implored. "I must," said Millie distantly.

1930, Norman Lindsay, Redheap, Sydney, N.S.W.: Ure Smith, published 1965, →OCLC, page 116:


disconnectedly

disconnectedly (comparative more disconnectedly, superlative most disconnectedly)

more disconnectedly (comparative)
most disconnectedly (superlative)

I don't know why I lied; my thoughts fluttered about disconnectedly and inspired me with many singular whims, more than I knew what to do with.

1899, Knut Hamsun, “Part II”, in George Egerton [pseudonym; Mary Chavelita Dunne Bright], transl., Hunger […], London: Leonard Smithers and Co […], →OCLC, page 97:


for evermore

"My third command to the Winged Monkeys," said Glinda, "shall be to carry you to your forest. Then, having used up the powers of the Golden Cap, I shall give it to the King of the Monkeys, that he and his band may thereafter be free for evermore."

1900, L. Frank Baum, chapter 23, in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz:


for ever

The death of my ſon betiding while my ſoul was under this anxiety, I thought of nothing but reſigning my dominions, and retiring for ever from the ſight of mankind.

1764 December 24 (indicated as 1765), Onuphrio Muralto, translated by William Marshal [pseudonyms; Horace Walpole], chapter III, in The Castle of Otranto, […], London: […] Tho[mas] Lownds […], →OCLC, pages 107–108:

'You probably won't understand what he's talking about at first, but don't ever say so, or he'll go on and on for ever, and you still won't understand any better.'

1956 [1880], Johanna Spyri, Heidi, translation of original by Eileen Hall, page 66:

That Mr Stink had saved up all his pennies to buy her something meant the whole world to her. “I will treasure this for ever, I promise.”

2009 October 29, David Walliams [pseudonym; David Edward Williams], “Little Star”, in Mr Stink, London: HarperCollins Children’s Books, →ISBN, page 263:


hardheartedly

hardheartedly (comparative more hardheartedly, superlative most hardheartedly)

more hardheartedly (comparative)
most hardheartedly (superlative)


heatedly

heatedly (comparative more heatedly, superlative most heatedly)

more heatedly (comparative)
most heatedly (superlative)


hazily

hazily (comparative more hazily, superlative most hazily)

more hazily (comparative)
most hazily (superlative)


hectically

hectically (comparative more hectically, superlative most hectically)

more hectically (comparative)
most hectically (superlative)


headily

headily (comparative more headily, superlative most headily)

more headily (comparative)
most headily (superlative)


hauntingly

hauntingly (comparative more hauntingly, superlative most hauntingly)

more hauntingly (comparative)
most hauntingly (superlative)

From Middle English hauntingli, hawntyngly, equivalent to haunting + -ly.


heterogeneously

heterogeneously (comparative more heterogeneously, superlative most heterogeneously)

more heterogeneously (comparative)
most heterogeneously (superlative)


heinously

heinously (comparative more heinously, superlative most heinously)

more heinously (comparative)
most heinously (superlative)


honorarily

honorarily (comparative more honorarily, superlative most honorarily)

more honorarily (comparative)
most honorarily (superlative)


heartrendingly

heartrendingly (comparative more heartrendingly, superlative most heartrendingly)

more heartrendingly (comparative)
most heartrendingly (superlative)


heedlessly

heedlessly (comparative more heedlessly, superlative most heedlessly)

more heedlessly (comparative)
most heedlessly (superlative)

In a heedless manner: with unawareness; without noticing; carelessly, inattentively.


hardheadedly

hardheadedly (comparative more hardheadedly, superlative most hardheadedly)

more hardheadedly (comparative)
most hardheadedly (superlative)


harmfully

harmfully (comparative more harmfully, superlative most harmfully)

more harmfully (comparative)
most harmfully (superlative)


highhandedly

highhandedly (comparative more highhandedly, superlative most highhandedly)

more highhandedly (comparative)
most highhandedly (superlative)


horrendously

horrendously (comparative more horrendously, superlative most horrendously)

more horrendously (comparative)
most horrendously (superlative)


heavy-handedly

heavy-handedly (comparative more heavy-handedly, superlative most heavy-handedly)

more heavy-handedly (comparative)
most heavy-handedly (superlative)


horridly

horridly (comparative more horridly, superlative most horridly)

more horridly (comparative)
most horridly (superlative)


haggardly

haggardly (comparative more haggardly, superlative most haggardly)

more haggardly (comparative)
most haggardly (superlative)

how haggardly soe'er she looks at home

1693, Decimus Junius Juvenalis, John Dryden, transl., “[The Satires of Decimus Junius Juvenalis.] The Sixth Satyr”, in The Satires of Decimus Junius Juvenalis. Translated into English Verse. […] Together with the Satires of Aulus Persius Flaccus. […], London: Printed for Jacob Tonson […], →OCLC:


harmonically

harmonically (comparative more harmonically, superlative most harmonically)

more harmonically (comparative)
most harmonically (superlative)


hesitatingly

hesitatingly (comparative more hesitatingly, superlative most hesitatingly)

more hesitatingly (comparative)
most hesitatingly (superlative)

As he passed the drawing-room door he heard Ethel say hesitatingly: "I - I heard you singing from the verandah."

1930, Norman Lindsay, Redheap, Sydney, N.S.W.: Ure Smith, published 1965, →OCLC, page 66:


hellishly

hellishly (comparative more hellishly, superlative most hellishly)

more hellishly (comparative)
most hellishly (superlative)


hazardously

hazardously (comparative more hazardously, superlative most hazardously)

more hazardously (comparative)
most hazardously (superlative)

[T]he early Middle English of The Owl and the Nightingale more recognizable but hazardously obscure without a glossary.

1985, Robert Burchfield, The English Language, Oxford: Oxford University Press, page 17:


hotheadedly

hotheadedly (comparative more hotheadedly, superlative most hotheadedly)

more hotheadedly (comparative)
most hotheadedly (superlative)


hoggishly

hoggishly (comparative more hoggishly, superlative most hoggishly)

more hoggishly (comparative)
most hoggishly (superlative)

And there was Talbot's great diseased appetite to corroborate a belief that expatriate educationists ate hoggishly.

1958, Anthony Burgess, The Enemy in the Blanket (The Malayan Trilogy), published 1972, page 318:


humidly

humidly (comparative more humidly, superlative most humidly)

more humidly (comparative)
most humidly (superlative)


healthfully

healthfully (comparative more healthfully, superlative most healthfully)

more healthfully (comparative)
most healthfully (superlative)

From Middle English helthfully, equivalent to healthful + -ly.

Some have argued that low-income households cannot afford to eat healthfully due to the high cost of these foods. Income is one component of the cost equation. We find that low-income households spend less on fruits and vegetables, […]

2011, Hayden Stewart, Are Lower Income Households Willing to Budget for Fruits and Vegetables?, DIANE Publishing, →ISBN:


hilariously

hilariously (comparative more hilariously, superlative most hilariously)

more hilariously (comparative)
most hilariously (superlative)

a hilariously funny joke

In a hilarious manner; so as to amuse greatly.

They laughed hilariously at the comedy film.


humiliatingly

humiliatingly (comparative more humiliatingly, superlative most humiliatingly)

more humiliatingly (comparative)
most humiliatingly (superlative)


histrionically

histrionically (comparative more histrionically, superlative most histrionically)

more histrionically (comparative)
most histrionically (superlative)

Mother shouted the last question with her hands thrust histrionically aloft.

2015, Chigozie Obioma, The Fishermen, ONE, page 106:


horrifically

horrifically (comparative more horrifically, superlative most horrifically)

more horrifically (comparative)
most horrifically (superlative)

What other television show would feature a gorgeously designed sequence where a horrifically mutated Pierre and Marie Curie, their bodies swollen to Godzilla-like proportions from prolonged exposure to the radiation that would eventually kill them, destroy an Asian city with their bare hands like vengeance-crazed monster-Gods?

2012 May 20, Nathan Rabin, “TV: Review: THE SIMPSONS (CLASSIC): “Marge Gets A Job” (season 4, episode 7; originally aired 11/05/1992)”, in The Onion AV Club:


hollowly

hollowly (comparative more hollowly, superlative most hollowly)

more hollowly (comparative)
most hollowly (superlative)


heartlessly

heartlessly (comparative more heartlessly, superlative most heartlessly)

more heartlessly (comparative)
most heartlessly (superlative)


harmlessly

harmlessly (comparative more harmlessly, superlative most harmlessly)

more harmlessly (comparative)
most harmlessly (superlative)

This does not take into account the tens of thousands of New Yorkers who are harmlessly and charmingly insane in a peculiarly Manhattanite manner.

1946, George Johnston, Skyscrapers in the Mist, page 52:


haplessly

haplessly (comparative more haplessly, superlative most haplessly)

more haplessly (comparative)
most haplessly (superlative)

The only real knock against “Mortshall” is that “Rick and Morty get sick of each other and split up for a while” feels kind of old hat at this point—the comic premise of the show requires their relationship to be toxic (because a lot of the humor comes from seeing Rick be a shit and seeing Morty try haplessly to deal with Rick being a shit), and they can only try and sell the illusion that anything is going to change so many times before it starts to get stale.

2021 September 6, Zack Handlen, “Rick And Morty ends its fifth season looking for an escape hatch”, in AV Club:


homogeneously

homogeneously (comparative more homogeneously, superlative most homogeneously)

more homogeneously (comparative)
most homogeneously (superlative)


high-mindedly

high-mindedly (comparative more high-mindedly, superlative most high-mindedly)

more high-mindedly (comparative)
most high-mindedly (superlative)


hospitably

hospitably (comparative more hospitably, superlative most hospitably)

more hospitably (comparative)
most hospitably (superlative)


hostilely

hostilely (comparative more hostilely, superlative most hostilely)

more hostilely (comparative)
most hostilely (superlative)

He watched as she paced to the other side of the counter, visibly blanching at the sight of hen and rooster salt and pepper shakers, hostilely eyeing the toaster’s knitted pink cozy, recoiling from a strange little ball made entirely of rubber bands.

2022, Bonnie Garmus, Lessons in Chemistry, Penguin (2023), page 214:


hurtfully

hurtfully (comparative more hurtfully, superlative most hurtfully)

more hurtfully (comparative)
most hurtfully (superlative)


hatefully

hatefully (comparative more hatefully, superlative most hatefully)

more hatefully (comparative)
most hatefully (superlative)

From Middle English hatfully, equivalent to hateful + -ly.

And they shall deale with thee hatefully, and shall take away all thy labour, and shall leaue thee naked and bare, and the nakednesse of thy whoredomes shall bee discouered, both thy lewdnesse and thy whoredomes.

1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Ezekiel 23:29:


holistically

holistically (comparative more holistically, superlative most holistically)

more holistically (comparative)
most holistically (superlative)

She spoke in a consultant's sound byte fashion, which translates text into your head holistically, calmly, slowly, and full of quotations.

2020, Emily Segal, Mercury Retrograde, New York: Deluge Books, →ISBN:


hideously

hideously (comparative more hideously, superlative most hideously)

more hideously (comparative)
most hideously (superlative)

From Middle English hidously; equivalent to hideous + -ly.

Pack a larger-than-normal hypochondria kit that includes sunscreen, plastic bandages and allergy pills. Such things are hard to find or hideously expensive.

1994 February 20, Anne Groer, “Sunday Travel: Tips”, in The Washington Post:


huskily

huskily (comparative more huskily, superlative most huskily)

more huskily (comparative)
most huskily (superlative)

"Veronica!" he quavered huskily.

1923, Elizabeth Bowen, “The Confidante”, in Encounters, page 54:


hungrily

hungrily (comparative more hungrily, superlative most hungrily)

more hungrily (comparative)
most hungrily (superlative)

From Middle English hungriliche, equivalent to hungry + -ly.

For at the last shall the thunder, fleeing to escape from the doom of the gods, roar horribly among the Worlds; and Time, the hound of the gods, shall bay hungrily at his masters because he is lean with age.

1905, Lord Dunsany [i.e., Edward Plunkett, 18th Baron of Dunsany], The Gods of Pegāna, London: [Charles] Elkin Mathews, […], →OCLC, page 92:

Nungi was too hungrily cross to be respectful.

1907, Barbara Baynton, edited by Sally Krimmer and Alan Lawson, Human Toll (Portable Australian Authors: Barbara Baynton), St Lucia: University of Queensland Press, published 1980, page 263:


heedfully

heedfully (comparative more heedfully, superlative most heedfully)

more heedfully (comparative)
most heedfully (superlative)

they did, as long as they were possessed with that care, heedefully abstaine from all venerian acts, and touching of women.


halfheartedly

halfheartedly (comparative more halfheartedly, superlative most halfheartedly)

more halfheartedly (comparative)
most halfheartedly (superlative)

This appeal seemed to produce some effect, for two of the fellows began to look here and there among the lumber, but half-heartedly, I thought, and with half an eye to their own danger all the time, while the rest stood irresolute on the road.

1881–1882, Robert Louis Stevenson, Treasure Island, London; Paris: Cassell & Company, published 14 November 1883, →OCLC:

“Oh, but I feel, and particularly just now—it’s your fault,” he said, pressing her hand—“that all that doesn’t count. I do it in a way halfheartedly. If I could care for all that as I care for you!... Instead of that, I do it in these days like a task that is set me.”

1901 [1878], Leo Tolstoy, translated by Constance Garnett, Anna Karenina:


oppressively

oppressively (comparative more oppressively, superlative most oppressively)

more oppressively (comparative)
most oppressively (superlative)


humanly

humanly (comparative more humanly, superlative most humanly)

more humanly (comparative)
most humanly (superlative)

From human + -ly.
* (adverb): In Middle English as humanly (“humanely”), when human and humane had not yet become different words.
* (adjective): Used once in Middle English, as humaynly, modelled on Middle Dutch and meaning “characteristic of human nature”.


openhanded

openhanded (comparative more openhanded, superlative most openhanded)

more openhanded (comparative)
most openhanded (superlative)

Patterson smacks her openhanded on the side of the head.

2014, Benjamin Whitmer, Cry Father, →ISBN, page 278:

Alternative form of open-handed
With an open hand or hands.

He leaves the mild Alexander to continue, under the pressure of fraternal competition, the hereditary policy of Peter and Catherine; to raise levy after levy, loan after loan, ineffectually, while loans of any amount required are given openhanded by the people of France and England to their governments and the seas of the world remain open to the commerce of the Allies.

1856, The Living Age - Volume 48, page 502:

Alternative form of open-handed
Generously.


rectally

The thermometer had to be inserted rectally.


unfruitfully

unfruitfully (comparative more unfruitfully, superlative most unfruitfully)

more unfruitfully (comparative)
most unfruitfully (superlative)


animato

(music) (To be played) in a lively, animated manner.


imaginably

imaginably (comparative more imaginably, superlative most imaginably)

more imaginably (comparative)
most imaginably (superlative)


illuminatingly

illuminatingly (comparative more illuminatingly, superlative most illuminatingly)

more illuminatingly (comparative)
most illuminatingly (superlative)


impishly

impishly (comparative more impishly, superlative most impishly)

more impishly (comparative)
most impishly (superlative)


illiterately

illiterately (comparative more illiterately, superlative most illiterately)

more illiterately (comparative)
most illiterately (superlative)


inappreciably

inappreciably (comparative more inappreciably, superlative most inappreciably)

more inappreciably (comparative)
most inappreciably (superlative)


incompetently

incompetently (comparative more incompetently, superlative most incompetently)

more incompetently (comparative)
most incompetently (superlative)


imitatively

imitatively (comparative more imitatively, superlative most imitatively)

more imitatively (comparative)
most imitatively (superlative)


immanently

immanently (comparative more immanently, superlative most immanently)

more immanently (comparative)
most immanently (superlative)


impassably

impassably (comparative more impassably, superlative most impassably)

more impassably (comparative)
most impassably (superlative)


impecuniously

impecuniously (comparative more impecuniously, superlative most impecuniously)

more impecuniously (comparative)
most impecuniously (superlative)


inattentively

inattentively (comparative more inattentively, superlative most inattentively)

more inattentively (comparative)
most inattentively (superlative)

In an inattentive or careless manner: Of or pertaining to a lack of attention; not paying attention.


illustriously

illustriously (comparative more illustriously, superlative most illustriously)

more illustriously (comparative)
most illustriously (superlative)


inconclusively

inconclusively (comparative more inconclusively, superlative most inconclusively)

more inconclusively (comparative)
most inconclusively (superlative)


illegitimately

illegitimately (comparative more illegitimately, superlative most illegitimately)

more illegitimately (comparative)
most illegitimately (superlative)


illiberally

illiberally (comparative more illiberally, superlative most illiberally)

more illiberally (comparative)
most illiberally (superlative)

He took an active part, as chairman, in the meetings which, at the beginning of the contest with France, were assembled to petition for peace, and was illiberally expelled from the Surrey troop of light-horse, on account of his patriotism.

1823, Public Characters of All Nations, Sir Richard Phillips & Company:


immaterially

immaterially (comparative more immaterially, superlative most immaterially)

more immaterially (comparative)
most immaterially (superlative)

From Middle English inmaterialliche, inmaterially; equivalent to immaterial + -ly.


impassively

impassively (comparative more impassively, superlative most impassively)

more impassively (comparative)
most impassively (superlative)


incapably

incapably (comparative more incapably, superlative most incapably)

more incapably (comparative)
most incapably (superlative)


impassibly

impassibly (comparative more impassibly, superlative most impassibly)

more impassibly (comparative)
most impassibly (superlative)


incurably

incurably (comparative more incurably, superlative most incurably)

more incurably (comparative)
most incurably (superlative)


illustratively

illustratively (comparative more illustratively, superlative most illustratively)

more illustratively (comparative)
most illustratively (superlative)


indelicately

indelicately (comparative more indelicately, superlative most indelicately)

more indelicately (comparative)
most indelicately (superlative)


incommensurately

incommensurately (comparative more incommensurately, superlative most incommensurately)

more incommensurately (comparative)
most incommensurately (superlative)

In an incommensurate manner; in a manner not in proportion with something else.


immovably

immovably (comparative more immovably, superlative most immovably)

more immovably (comparative)
most immovably (superlative)

From Middle English in-moueabily; equivalent to immovable + -ly.


incipiently

incipiently (comparative more incipiently, superlative most incipiently)

more incipiently (comparative)
most incipiently (superlative)


inconceivably

inconceivably (comparative more inconceivably, superlative most inconceivably)

more inconceivably (comparative)
most inconceivably (superlative)

In an inconceivable manner, not believable or understandable.


ill-naturedly

ill-naturedly (comparative more ill-naturedly, superlative most ill-naturedly)

more ill-naturedly (comparative)
most ill-naturedly (superlative)


immutably

immutably (comparative more immutably, superlative most immutably)

more immutably (comparative)
most immutably (superlative)

My task was a very hard one; but, as I was absolutely resolved - as my cousins saw at length that my mind was really and immutably fixed on making a just division of the property....they yielded at length.

1847, Charlotte Brontë, chapter 33, in Jane Eyre:

In an immutable manner. In a way that cannot be varied, or changed.


incorrigibly

incorrigibly (comparative more incorrigibly, superlative most incorrigibly)

more incorrigibly (comparative)
most incorrigibly (superlative)


immaculately

immaculately (comparative more immaculately, superlative most immaculately)

more immaculately (comparative)
most immaculately (superlative)

In an immaculate manner; in a manner free of stain or blemish; without being defiled.

He spoke immaculately, his enunciation terribly precise.

1979, Ian Whitcomb, Lotus Land: A story of Southern California, page 141:

In a manner free of error; in a perfect or flawless manner.


indecisively

indecisively (comparative more indecisively, superlative most indecisively)

more indecisively (comparative)
most indecisively (superlative)


indicatively

indicatively (comparative more indicatively, superlative most indicatively)

more indicatively (comparative)
most indicatively (superlative)


indefensibly

indefensibly (comparative more indefensibly, superlative most indefensibly)

more indefensibly (comparative)
most indefensibly (superlative)


immortally

immortally (comparative more immortally, superlative most immortally)

more immortally (comparative)
most immortally (superlative)

She was a fat, round little woman, richly apparelled in velvet and lace, […]; and the way she laughed, cackling like a hen, the way she talked to the waiters and the maid,[…]—all these unexpected phenomena impelled one to hysterical mirth, and made one class her with such immortally ludicrous types as Ally Sloper, the Widow Twankey, or Miss Moucher.

1918, W[illiam] B[abington] Maxwell, chapter II, in The Mirror and the Lamp, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC:


immaturely

immaturely (comparative more immaturely, superlative most immaturely)

more immaturely (comparative)
most immaturely (superlative)

They may be approaching 40, but after three beers they are behaving as immaturely as any teenager.

Giving an appearance of immaturity; childishly.

[…] birds which are hatched immaturely and fly immediately after leaving the nest.

1972, Frank B. McMahon, Psychology: Perspectives on the Hybrid Science, page 165:


industrially

industrially (comparative more industrially, superlative most industrially)

more industrially (comparative)
most industrially (superlative)


indigently

indigently (comparative more indigently, superlative most indigently)

more indigently (comparative)
most indigently (superlative)


inarticulately

inarticulately (comparative more inarticulately, superlative most inarticulately)

more inarticulately (comparative)
most inarticulately (superlative)


indefeasibly

indefeasibly (comparative more indefeasibly, superlative most indefeasibly)

more indefeasibly (comparative)
most indefeasibly (superlative)


indeterminately

indeterminately (comparative more indeterminately, superlative most indeterminately)

more indeterminately (comparative)
most indeterminately (superlative)


immodestly

immodestly (comparative more immodestly, superlative most immodestly)

more immodestly (comparative)
most immodestly (superlative)


indivisibly

indivisibly (comparative more indivisibly, superlative most indivisibly)

more indivisibly (comparative)
most indivisibly (superlative)


ill-advisedly

ill-advisedly (comparative more ill-advisedly, superlative most ill-advisedly)

more ill-advisedly (comparative)
most ill-advisedly (superlative)


indolently

indolently (comparative more indolently, superlative most indolently)

more indolently (comparative)
most indolently (superlative)


incontestably

incontestably (comparative more incontestably, superlative most incontestably)

more incontestably (comparative)
most incontestably (superlative)


inanimately

inanimately (comparative more inanimately, superlative most inanimately)

more inanimately (comparative)
most inanimately (superlative)


inconsolably

inconsolably (comparative more inconsolably, superlative most inconsolably)

more inconsolably (comparative)
most inconsolably (superlative)


infectiously

infectiously (comparative more infectiously, superlative most infectiously)

more infectiously (comparative)
most infectiously (superlative)


inequitably

inequitably (comparative more inequitably, superlative most inequitably)

more inequitably (comparative)
most inequitably (superlative)


inanely

inanely (comparative more inanely, superlative most inanely)

more inanely (comparative)
most inanely (superlative)


ineffectively

ineffectively (comparative more ineffectively, superlative most ineffectively)

more ineffectively (comparative)
most ineffectively (superlative)

In an ineffective manner; not producing any significant or desired effect.


ingloriously

ingloriously (comparative more ingloriously, superlative most ingloriously)

more ingloriously (comparative)
most ingloriously (superlative)


inexhaustibly

inexhaustibly (comparative more inexhaustibly, superlative most inexhaustibly)

more inexhaustibly (comparative)
most inexhaustibly (superlative)


indestructibly

indestructibly (comparative more indestructibly, superlative most indestructibly)

more indestructibly (comparative)
most indestructibly (superlative)

That is a fact; it cannot be changed — it is written indestructibly on the record of events.

1918, Ferdinand Schureman Schenck, The Apostles' Creed in the Twentieth Century, page 183:

In a way or to an extent that is indestructible


inconsiderately

inconsiderately (comparative more inconsiderately, superlative most inconsiderately)

more inconsiderately (comparative)
most inconsiderately (superlative)

He inconsiderately let the twig snap back at her.

Inconsiderately, he pressed on when she paused.

In an inconsiderate manner; without consideration for others.


indelibly

indelibly (comparative more indelibly, superlative most indelibly)

more indelibly (comparative)
most indelibly (superlative)


informatively

informatively (comparative more informatively, superlative most informatively)

more informatively (comparative)
most informatively (superlative)


inexpensively

inexpensively (comparative more inexpensively, superlative most inexpensively)

more inexpensively (comparative)
most inexpensively (superlative)


indeterminably

indeterminably (comparative more indeterminably, superlative most indeterminably)

more indeterminably (comparative)
most indeterminably (superlative)


incomprehensibly

incomprehensibly (comparative more incomprehensibly, superlative most incomprehensibly)

more incomprehensibly (comparative)
most incomprehensibly (superlative)


inhospitably

inhospitably (comparative more inhospitably, superlative most inhospitably)

more inhospitably (comparative)
most inhospitably (superlative)


incomparably

incomparably (comparative more incomparably, superlative most incomparably)

more incomparably (comparative)
most incomparably (superlative)


indispensably

indispensably (comparative more indispensably, superlative most indispensably)

more indispensably (comparative)
most indispensably (superlative)

In an indispensable manner; such that one cannot do without it.


incorruptibly

incorruptibly (comparative more incorruptibly, superlative most incorruptibly)

more incorruptibly (comparative)
most incorruptibly (superlative)

During her trial, Dugdale declared herself “proudly and incorruptibly guilty” of offences against the state and described Britain as “the filthy enemy”.

2024 March 18, Shane Harrison, “Rose Dugdale, English debutante turned IRA bomb maker, dies aged 83”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:


immoderately

immoderately (comparative more immoderately, superlative most immoderately)

more immoderately (comparative)
most immoderately (superlative)

From Middle English immoderatliche, inmoderately; equivalent to immoderate + -ly.


immemorially

immemorially (comparative more immemorially, superlative most immemorially)

more immemorially (comparative)
most immemorially (superlative)

[…] by vast odds, the most terrific of all mortal disasters have immemorially and indiscriminately befallen tens and hundreds of thousands of those who have gone upon the waters […]

1851 November 14, Herman Melville, “Chapter 58”, in Moby-Dick; or, The Whale, 1st American edition, New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers; London: Richard Bentley, →OCLC:

Yet, O reader, the brave woman accepted the lot, and took up the cry which had been its sign immemorially, and which thenceforward was to be her salutation without change—“Unclean, unclean!”

1880, Lew Wallace, Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ, Book Six, Chapter 2:

[…] as for barbers, he had never liked those who cut his own hair; he thought too how it would disgust Pundit Jairam to learn that his former pupil had taken up barbering, a profession immemorially low.

1961, V. S. Naipaul, A House for Mr Biswas, Vintage International, published 2001, Part One, Chapter 2:

In an immemorial manner, from time immemorial.


indiscreetly

indiscreetly (comparative more indiscreetly, superlative most indiscreetly)

more indiscreetly (comparative)
most indiscreetly (superlative)


innumerably

innumerably (comparative more innumerably, superlative most innumerably)

more innumerably (comparative)
most innumerably (superlative)


inhumanely

inhumanely (comparative more inhumanely, superlative most inhumanely)

more inhumanely (comparative)
most inhumanely (superlative)


imminently

imminently (comparative more imminently, superlative most imminently)

more imminently (comparative)
most imminently (superlative)

Work to electrify the East Kilbride line in Scotland will begin imminently, with foundations to be installed for the overhead line equipment.

2021 March 10, “Network News: Work to start on East Kilbride wires”, in RAIL, number 926, page 27:

In an imminent manner; liable to happen immediately or very soon.


ineligibly

ineligibly (comparative more ineligibly, superlative most ineligibly)

more ineligibly (comparative)
most ineligibly (superlative)


inexpertly

inexpertly (comparative more inexpertly, superlative most inexpertly)

more inexpertly (comparative)
most inexpertly (superlative)


inefficiently

inefficiently (comparative more inefficiently, superlative most inefficiently)

more inefficiently (comparative)
most inefficiently (superlative)

What labour there was, particularly maintenance personnel, worked inefficiently and staff were prone to down tools at the whim of the local shop steward.

2023 March 8, David Clough, “The long road that led to Beeching”, in RAIL, number 978, page 39:


ineffably

ineffably (comparative more ineffably, superlative most ineffably)

more ineffably (comparative)
most ineffably (superlative)

His songs are ineffably sweet and touching.

"And," said Crabbe, "I know exactly how much brandy's in that cupboard. And whisky." The Chinese smiled ineffably.

1959, Anthony Burgess, Beds in the East (The Malayan Trilogy), published 1972, page 501:

indescribably; to a very great degree or extent.

The name of God is ineffably holy.


inopportunely

inopportunely (comparative more inopportunely, superlative most inopportunely)

more inopportunely (comparative)
most inopportunely (superlative)


infuriatingly

infuriatingly (comparative more infuriatingly, superlative most infuriatingly)

more infuriatingly (comparative)
most infuriatingly (superlative)

The Cambrian Line links Aberystwyth to Shrewsbury and Pwllheli, forking at Dovey Junction. Its geography is both a blessing and a headache: the scenery is glorious, but the line speed (at times) infuriatingly slow.

2020 August 12, Andrew Mourant, “The tid is turning for a Victorian wonder”, in Rail, page 52:


inimitably

inimitably (comparative more inimitably, superlative most inimitably)

more inimitably (comparative)
most inimitably (superlative)

Gratefully she crooned with them, so inimitably that old Christine Inglis, on her way to early Mass, vowed the girl was fey.

1907, Barbara Baynton, edited by Sally Krimmer and Alan Lawson, Human Toll (Portable Australian Authors: Barbara Baynton), St Lucia: University of Queensland Press, published 1980, page 186:


inescapably

inescapably (comparative more inescapably, superlative most inescapably)

more inescapably (comparative)
most inescapably (superlative)


indulgently

indulgently (comparative more indulgently, superlative most indulgently)

more indulgently (comparative)
most indulgently (superlative)


innocuously

innocuously (comparative more innocuously, superlative most innocuously)

more innocuously (comparative)
most innocuously (superlative)


inestimably

inestimably (comparative more inestimably, superlative most inestimably)

more inestimably (comparative)
most inestimably (superlative)


influentially

influentially (comparative more influentially, superlative most influentially)

more influentially (comparative)
most influentially (superlative)


inalienably

inalienably (comparative more inalienably, superlative most inalienably)

more inalienably (comparative)
most inalienably (superlative)

This was his intention to persuade their aged grandfather to transfer his own heirship to Arthur, which he considered it a fortunate circumstance was in his power, with the exception of a very small estate, tied inalienably to the heir of that ancient and distinguished family.

1838 (date written), L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter XXI, in Lady Anne Granard; or, Keeping up Appearances. […], volume I, London: Henry Colburn, […], published 1842, →OCLC, page 263:


infamously

infamously (comparative more infamously, superlative most infamously)

more infamously (comparative)
most infamously (superlative)

But black holes are infamously invisible, so they have to be observed indirectly.

2019 March 4, Michael Irving, “Doomed, rare black hole spotted near the center of the galaxy”, in New Atlas:


ineffectually

ineffectually (comparative more ineffectually, superlative most ineffectually)

more ineffectually (comparative)
most ineffectually (superlative)

Milner and Theo Walcott failed to justify their selection ahead of Aston Villa's Young as they struggled ineffectually in the first half, leaving striker Bent isolated and starved of supply as Switzerland looked the more composed and ordered team.

2011 June 4, Phil McNulty, “England 2 - 2 Switzerland”, in BBC:


infinitesimally

infinitesimally (comparative more infinitesimally, superlative most infinitesimally)

more infinitesimally (comparative)
most infinitesimally (superlative)


inertly

inertly (comparative more inertly, superlative most inertly)

more inertly (comparative)
most inertly (superlative)


inconveniently

inconveniently (comparative more inconveniently, superlative most inconveniently)

more inconveniently (comparative)
most inconveniently (superlative)

There are several reasons why the line's future is now dubious. With the exception of Horsmonden, the stations are most inconveniently sited. This is largely because the Wealden villages were built on ridges, and in fact most Wealden stations are badly placed.

1960 March, H. P. White, “The Hawkhurst branch of the Southern Region”, in Trains Illustrated, page 173:


inconstantly

inconstantly (comparative more inconstantly, superlative most inconstantly)

more inconstantly (comparative)
most inconstantly (superlative)


ineluctably

ineluctably (comparative more ineluctably, superlative most ineluctably)

more ineluctably (comparative)
most ineluctably (superlative)

Ineluctably I was led to believe that the first whisperers of these accursed tales must have had discourse with Akeley’s Outer Ones, and perhaps have visited outer cosmic realms as Akeley now proposed visiting them.

1931, H. P. Lovecraft, chapter 7, in The Whisperer in Darkness:

So insistent is the presence of money in Newport that the mind springs ineluctably to the raw beginnings of it.

1968, Joan Didion, “The Seacoast of Despair”, in Slouching Towards Bethlehem:


inconsistently

inconsistently (comparative more inconsistently, superlative most inconsistently)

more inconsistently (comparative)
most inconsistently (superlative)


indecently

indecently (comparative more indecently, superlative most indecently)

more indecently (comparative)
most indecently (superlative)

Chloryl fluoride, ClO₂F, was first reported by Schmitz and Schumacher in 1942. It is indecently reactive, and the hardest to keep of all the Cl-O-F compounds, since it apparently dissolves the protective metal fluoride coatings that make the storage of ClF₃ comparatively simple.

1972, John Drury Clark, “Halogens and Politics and Deep Space”, in Ignition!: An Informal History of Liquid Rocket Propellants, New Brunswick, New Jersey: Rutgers University Press, →ISBN, page 81:


indomitably

indomitably (comparative more indomitably, superlative most indomitably)

more indomitably (comparative)
most indomitably (superlative)

She rejoiced that it was not the fashion of her day, and had probably rendered her daughters on the whole good service, by making them sensible from their babyhood, that to be poorly was to be naughty; and, on the present occasion, it must be said, she either resisted indomitably, or yielded reluctantly, to the demands of sickness.

1842, [anonymous collaborator of Letitia Elizabeth Landon], chapter LVII, in Lady Anne Granard; or, Keeping up Appearances. […], volume III, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, pages 106–107:


inexpressibly

inexpressibly (comparative more inexpressibly, superlative most inexpressibly)

more inexpressibly (comparative)
most inexpressibly (superlative)

To my mind there has always been something inexpressibly awful in family feuds.

1864, J[oseph] Sheridan Le Fanu, “In which Lake under the Trees of Brandon, and I in My Chamber, Smoke Our Nocturnal Cigars”, in Wylder’s Hand. […], New York, N.Y.: Carleton, […], published 1865, →OCLC, page 63:

Inexpressibly tired of this anxious intricate search I threw myself down on the soft moss to rest for a while, but the fatigue conquered the fears of the lonely forest, and I cannot now tell how long I dozed.

1886, Peter Christen Asbjørnsen, translated by H.L. Brækstad, Folk and Fairy Tales, page 281:


inhumanly

inhumanly (comparative more inhumanly, superlative most inhumanly)

more inhumanly (comparative)
most inhumanly (superlative)

Ursula rose, then stood in a line with the bearers, motionless as though waiting for inexorable fate. She suffered the grotesquely and inhumanly lengthened shadow from the men and their burden to fall on her.

1907, Barbara Baynton, edited by Sally Krimmer and Alan Lawson, Human Toll (Portable Australian Authors: Barbara Baynton), St Lucia: University of Queensland Press, published 1980, page 210:


inexcusably

inexcusably (comparative more inexcusably, superlative most inexcusably)

more inexcusably (comparative)
most inexcusably (superlative)

We arrived at the wedding inexcusably late.

Of course there is more — much more — still to discover, and rediscover, in Sarton's work. Sarton has been inexcusably neglected by critics; World of Light will contribute to providing her with the recognition she deserves.

1979 December 15, Harold Pickett, “Portrait of May Sarton”, in Gay Community News, volume 7, number 21, page 12:


inadequately

inadequately (comparative more inadequately, superlative most inadequately)

more inadequately (comparative)
most inadequately (superlative)


industriously

industriously (comparative more industriously, superlative most industriously)

more industriously (comparative)
most industriously (superlative)

Robert had a friend at the Melbourne University, with whom he corresponded industriously.

1930, Norman Lindsay, Redheap, Sydney, N.S.W.: Ure Smith, published 1965, →OCLC, page 125:


incongruously

incongruously (comparative more incongruously, superlative most incongruously)

more incongruously (comparative)
most incongruously (superlative)

It was a long, long list[of problems], but Mr. Stink listened to everything she said as jolly Christmas songs played incongruously in the background.

2009 October 29, David Walliams [pseudonym; David Edward Williams], Mr Stink, London: HarperCollins Children’s Books, →ISBN:


incompletely

incompletely (comparative more incompletely, superlative most incompletely)

more incompletely (comparative)
most incompletely (superlative)


infernally

infernally (comparative more infernally, superlative most infernally)

more infernally (comparative)
most infernally (superlative)


inoffensively

inoffensively (comparative more inoffensively, superlative most inoffensively)

more inoffensively (comparative)
most inoffensively (superlative)


ingratiatingly

ingratiatingly (comparative more ingratiatingly, superlative most ingratiatingly)

more ingratiatingly (comparative)
most ingratiatingly (superlative)

Nabby Adams approached him ingratiatingly.

1956, Anthony Burgess, Time for a Tiger (The Malayan Trilogy), published 1972, page 20:


iniquitously

iniquitously (comparative more iniquitously, superlative most iniquitously)

more iniquitously (comparative)
most iniquitously (superlative)

The petition concluded with stating, that the Earl, under pretence of the deeds thus iniquitously obtained, had taken possession of the whole place and living of Crossraguel, and enjoyed the profits thereof for three years.

1819 December 20 (indicated as 1820), Walter Scott, “NOTE CHAPTER XXII”, in Ivanhoe; a Romance. […], volume (please specify |volume=I to III), Edinburgh: […] Archibald Constable and Co.; London: Hurst, Robinson, and Co. […], →OCLC:


impalpably

impalpably (comparative more impalpably, superlative most impalpably)

more impalpably (comparative)
most impalpably (superlative)

These books will fill, and well fill, certain stretches of life […] But in old or nervous or solemnest or dying hours, when one needs the impalpably soothing and vitalizing influences of abysmic Nature, or its affinities in literature or human society, and the soul resents the keenest mere intellection, they will not be sought for.

1892, Walt Whitman, “Notes Left Over: Emerson's Books”, in Complete Prose Works:


inexplicably

inexplicably (comparative more inexplicably, superlative most inexplicably)

more inexplicably (comparative)
most inexplicably (superlative)

The Ivorian then inexplicably handled the resultant corner and referee Nicola Rizzoli had no hesitation pointing to the spot.

2011 September 28, Jon Smith, “Valencia 1 - 1 Chelsea”, in BBC Sport:

In an inexplicable manner; for an unknown reason.


inextricably

inextricably (comparative more inextricably, superlative most inextricably)

more inextricably (comparative)
most inextricably (superlative)

And yet, so inextricably blended are happiness and sorrow on our earth, that fortunate, thrice fortunate, are they who have such ties to sever.

1834, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter XVIII, in Francesca Carrara. […], volume III, London: Richard Bentley, […], (successor to Henry Colburn), →OCLC, page 150: