Definition

1. Adverb:
   • In a plastic manner; with plasticity: The adverb "plastically" describes the way in which a material can be shaped, molded, or deformed without breaking, or the way an action is performed with such properties.
   • In a way that is capable of change or adaptation: It can also describe doing something in a flexible, malleable, or impressionable way.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:
  • The artist worked the clay plastically, forming it into a smooth, flowing shape.
  • Certain metals behave plastically under high heat and pressure, allowing them to be forged.

Advanced Usage

• In a figuratively malleable or formative way: Used to describe non-physical adaptation or influence.
  • The young mind absorbs information plastically, easily forming new neural connections.
  • The policy was applied plastically to suit the different regional contexts.

Variants and Related Words

• Plastic (adj): (1) Made of plastic. (2) Capable of being molded; malleable. (3) Offering scope for creativity; formative.
  • The plastic material was easy to shape.
  • The plastic nature of childhood development is fascinating.
• Plasticity (n): The quality of being plastic; the capacity for being molded or altered.
  • Brain plasticity refers to its ability to change throughout life.
• Plasticize (v): To make plastic or moldable.

Synonyms

• Malleably: In a way that can be hammered or pressed into shape.
• Flexibly: In a way that bends easily without breaking.
• Ductilely: In a way that can be drawn out into a thin wire (for metals).

Antonyms

• Elastically: In a way that returns to its original shape after deformation.
• Rigidly: In a stiff, unyielding manner.
• Brittlely: In a hard but easily breakable way.

Adverb

1. in a plastic manner
   • he used the clay plastically