Sickeningly: meaning, definitions and examples

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sickeningly

 

[ˈsɪkənɪŋli ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adverb

degree of unpleasantness

Sickeningly is an adverb that describes something done in a manner that induces a feeling of nausea, disgust, or revulsion. It can also be used to emphasize the extreme nature of a negative quality or action. For example, one might say something happens sickeningly often when it occurs too frequently to be pleasant. This word adds emotional weight to descriptions, often highlighting situations that are not just unpleasant but overwhelmingly so.

Synonyms

disgustingly, offensively, repulsively.

Examples of usage

  • He talked sickeningly about the incident.
  • The movie's scenes were sickeningly graphic.
  • She smiled sickeningly at the thought of their demise.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • This word comes from the base 'sicken', which means to cause to feel unwell, combined with the suffix '-ly', which turns it into an adverb.
  • The usage of 'sickening' dates back to the 14th century, initially used to describe physical illness before evolving to include emotional disgust.

Pop Culture

  • In movies and TV shows, 'sickeningly' often describes evil characters or situations to amplify their shocking nature.
  • The phrase 'sickeningly sweet' is frequently used in reviews of romantic comedies, indicating they can feel overly sentimental.

Psychology

  • 'Sickeningly' can describe feelings triggered by extreme discomfort, such as fear, anxiety, or disgust in psychological contexts.
  • Rumination can cause memories to feel 'sickeningly' vivid, leading to negative emotional states that linger.

Literature

  • Authors often use 'sickeningly' to create intensity in their narratives, highlighting characters' reactions to shocking events.
  • In poetry, it can emphasize the contrast between beauty and horror, particularly in works that explore addiction or trauma.

Everyday Usage

  • 'Sickeningly' can refer to food that is excessively rich or greasy, making it feel unpleasant to eat, such as a very heavy dessert.
  • People often use this word in casual conversation to express strong negative reactions, such as when reacting to a disturbing news story.

Translations

Translations of the word "sickeningly" in other languages:

🇵🇹 enjoativamente

🇮🇳 बीमार करने वाले तरीके से

🇩🇪 widerwärtig

🇮🇩 menyakitkan

🇺🇦 огидно

🇵🇱 odrażająco

🇯🇵 不快に

🇫🇷 dégoûtant

🇪🇸 repugnante

🇹🇷 tiksindirici

🇰🇷 역겹게

🇸🇦 مثير للاشمئزاز

🇨🇿 odpudivě

🇸🇰 odpudzujúco

🇨🇳 令人作呕地

🇸🇮 odvratno

🇮🇸 ógeðslega

🇰🇿 жек көрерліктей

🇬🇪 საზიზღრად

🇦🇿 iyrənc şəkildə

🇲🇽 asquerosamente

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,541, 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.