crushingly
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adverb: 1. In an overwhelmingly powerful or devastating manner: Used to describe an action or event that is so decisive, severe, or complete that it overwhelms or destroys opposition, hope, or spirit. 2. To an extreme or utter degree: Used as an intensifier to emphasize the totality or severity of a negative quality, such as boredom or disappointment.
Usage and Examples
- Modifying a verb (often "defeated," "beaten," "disappointed"):
- The reigning champions were crushingly defeated in the first round of the tournament.
- The evidence presented at the trial was crushingly conclusive.
- Modifying an adjective:
- The lecture was crushingly dull, putting half the audience to sleep.
- He felt crushingly responsible for the team's failure.
Advanced Usage and Nuance
- Emotional or Psychological Impact: The word strongly implies not just a physical defeat but a psychological or emotional blow that is demoralizing and total.
- Example: Her criticism was crushingly blunt, leaving him speechless.
- Figurative Use: It can describe non-physical forces that are overwhelmingly powerful.
- Example: The crushingly high cost of living forces many to work multiple jobs.
Variants and Related Words
- Crushing (adjective): Having a devastating or overwhelming effect.
- Example: It was a crushing blow to their morale.
- Crush (verb): To press or squeeze with force; to defeat or subdue completely.
- Example: The regime moved to crush the rebellion.
Synonyms
- Overwhelmingly: To such a great extent that it cannot be resisted.
- Decisively: In a manner that settles an issue convincingly.
- Devastatingly: Causing severe shock, distress, or grief.
- Utterly: Completely and without qualification; absolutely.
Antonyms
- Narrowly: Only by a small margin; barely.
- Slightly: To a small degree; not considerably.
- Marginally: To only a limited extent.
Related Phrases and Collocations
- Crushingly boring/dull: Extremely and oppressively uninteresting.
- Crushingly obvious: So apparent that it cannot be ignored or denied.
- Crushingly heavy burden: An overwhelmingly difficult responsibility or duty.
Adverb
- in a crushing manner
- the team was crushingly defeated