Definition

Adverb: 1. In a way that openly shows feelings or thoughts: Acting or speaking in a manner that clearly and openly displays one's emotions, attitudes, or affections. 2. In a way that serves to demonstrate or prove something: Acting as a clear and convincing example or proof of a fact or principle.

Usage Examples

• Showing feelings openly:
  • She hugged her son demonstratively when he returned from his trip.
  • He argued his point demonstratively, using grand gestures to emphasize his words.
• Serving as proof:
  • The experiment failed demonstratively, proving the hypothesis incorrect.
  • The data acts demonstratively to support the new theory.

Advanced Usage

• "to behave demonstratively": to act in a way that openly expresses emotion, often physically.
  • At the reunion, the old friends behaved demonstratively, laughing and crying with joy.
• Used to describe a style of communication or affection that is physically expressive and unreserved.

Variants and Related Words

• Demonstrative (adjective):
  • Openly expressive of feelings. She comes from a demonstrative family.
  • Serving to demonstrate; indicative. The results were demonstrative of a larger trend.
• Demonstration (noun):
  • The action or process of showing something clearly. A demonstration of the software's new features.
  • A public meeting or march expressing protest or support. A peaceful demonstration.

Synonyms

• Expressively: Conveying feelings or thoughts clearly.
• Openly: Without concealment or deception.
• Emphatically: In a forceful way that draws attention.
• Clearly: In a way that is easy to perceive or understand.

Antonyms

• Reservedly: In a restrained or quiet manner.
• Stoically: Enduring pain or hardship without showing feelings.
• Impassively: Without emotion or expression.
• Subtly: In a delicate or understated manner.

Related Phrases

• Demonstrative evidence (Legal term): Physical or visual evidence (like a model or experiment) presented in court to demonstrate how an event occurred.
• Demonstrative pronoun (Grammar term): A pronoun that points to and identifies a noun (e.g., , , , ).

Adverb

1. in a demonstrative manner
   • he greeted her demonstratively