Lethally: meaning, definitions and examples

This adverb is used to describe actions or substances that can cause death.

• The poison was lethally administered.

Used to describe situations or injuries that result in death.

• He was fatally wounded in the accident.

Commonly used in everyday language to describe something that can cause death or is extremely dangerous.

• The virus is deadly if not treated promptly.

Typically used to describe injuries or conditions that are so severe they lead to death.

• She was mortally injured during the battle.

Used when referring to something that causes death or is capable of causing death. It is often used in medical, scientific, or dramatic contexts where the fatal nature is emphasized.

• The snake's venom acted lethally within minutes.
• The chemicals in the lab can be lethally dangerous if not handled properly.

Describes something that results in disaster, emphasizing poor outcome or failure. It often carries a negative connotation and suggests that events didn't just fail but failed in a spectacularly bad way.

• The poorly planned expedition ended disastrously with many casualties.
• His decision to invest all his money in one stock turned out disastrously.

Appropriate for situations involving sudden and widespread disaster, which often has a sense of being unexpected and overwhelming. Typically used in contexts related to natural disasters, large-scale accidents, or severe failures.

• The dam's collapse resulted in catastrophically widespread flooding.
• The company's stock plummeted catastrophically after the scandal.

Used to describe something that causes severe damage, ruin, or emotional pain. This word is versatile and can be applied to both physical destruction and profound emotional or social impacts.

• The hurricane struck the coastline devastatingly, leaving homes in ruins.
• She received the devastatingly sad news of her friend's passing.