Nastily: meaning, definitions and examples
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nastily
[ˈnæstɪli ]
Definition
manner of speaking
Nastily is an adverb that describes doing something in a mean, unpleasant, or malicious way. It can refer to actions or words that are intended to hurt, annoy, or degrade others. When someone speaks nastily, their tone and choice of words reflect negativity or hostility. This term often carries connotations of rudeness or unkindness, suggesting a deliberate choice to offend or upset another person.
Synonyms
cruelly, maliciously, meanly, unkindly.
Examples of usage
- She spoke nastily to her colleague during the meeting.
- He nastily criticized her work without any constructive feedback.
- The children teased nastily, making fun of his appearance.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The word 'nasty' has roots in the late 15th century, coming from the Middle English 'inaste' meaning dirty or filthy.
- Adding '-ly' turns an adjective into an adverb, indicating the manner in which something is done.
- The modern usage reflects a negative or disagreeable manner, evolving over centuries.
Psychology
- Research shows that people often use nasty behavior as a defense mechanism during stressful situations.
- Expressions of rudeness can actually be signs of personal insecurity, highlighting a desire for dominance in social interactions.
- Loud, nasty comments can trigger an emotional response in others, sometimes leading to a cycle of hostility.
Pop Culture
- In popular media, characters who act nastily often serve as the antagonist, provoking growth in the protagonist.
- Songs and literature frequently use nasty behavior to illustrate conflict, highlighting moral lessons about kindness and empathy.
- Reality shows often reward the nastiest contestants for drama, reflecting society's fascination with conflict.
Language
- In English, modifying words with '-ly' is common for turning adjectives into adverbs, as seen in words like 'quickly' and 'sadly'.
- Synonyms include 'spitefully,' 'meanly,' and 'unkindly', expanding vocabulary for nuanced expressions of behavior.
- Anti-cyberbullying campaigns have raised awareness about the negative impacts of nasty words online.
Literature
- Classic stories often depict characters who act nastily to teach readers about the consequences of unkindness.
- Shakespeare's works frequently showcase 'nasty' characters, underlining the complexity of human emotions and motivations.
- Moral fables often feature nasty characters who face dire consequences, serving as a cautionary tale for young readers.
Translations
Translations of the word "nastily" in other languages:
🇵🇹 de maneira maldosa
🇮🇳 बुरा तरीके से
🇩🇪 gemein
🇮🇩 dengan jahat
🇺🇦 підло
🇵🇱 złośliwie
🇯🇵 意地悪に (ijiwaru ni)
🇫🇷 de manière malveillante
🇪🇸 maliciosamente
🇹🇷 kötü bir şekilde
🇰🇷 악의적으로 (akui jeogeuro)
🇸🇦 بشكل خبيث (bishakl khabith)
🇨🇿 zlým způsobem
🇸🇰 zložitým spôsobom
🇨🇳 恶意地 (è yì de)
🇸🇮 zlobno
🇮🇸 illilega
🇰🇿 жаман түрде
🇬🇪 ცუდად (tsudad)
🇦🇿 pis şəkildə
🇲🇽 maliciosamente
Word Frequency Rank
Ranking #36,536, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.