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abrasively

abrasively

6.6
In a way that rubs material off a surface
  • adverb
  • /əˈbreɪsɪvli/
  • Specialized
translation icon : abrasivamente
  • The artist applied the paint abrasively, creating a textured effect on the canvas.

Examples

  • As the workers moved down the length of the pipe, the completed surface had a shiny, bare metal finish comparable to an abrasively blasted profile.

    Academic text (1998)
  • All steel below the waterline was abrasively blasted to SSPC SP-10 near white standards, leaving a 2 mil profile.

    Academic text (1997)
  • The surface of the metal was treated abrasively to enhance its durability and finish.

  • When sandpaper is used, it works abrasively to smooth out rough edges on wood.

Synonyms

frictionally
vsabrasively
7.3

Parts rub together so they slow or resist movement

removes material from a surface through rubbing or friction
grindingly
vsabrasively
7.3

In a harsh, scraping way that sounds like metal rubbing together

removes surface material by rubbing rather than by crushing or noise
grittily
vsabrasively
6.0

In a rough, grainy way like sand on skin

removes material by rubbing, focusing on wear rather than texture

Antonyms

173 2.3

In an easy, calm way without problems or embarrassment

95 1.0

In a gentle, light way using little force

How Abrasive

abrasively
  • Specialized
6.6
lightly
86 1.0

Surface Forms

abrasively positive

Morphology

abrasively = abrasive (transparent) = abrade + ive + ly

Adding -ly to 'abrasive' yields an adverb describing manner; the physical meaning 'scraping or wearing away' follows directly from the base.

Etymology

Abrasively comes from the verb abrade and the old Latin part radere, which means 'to scrape'. An abrasive is a material like sandpaper that rubs a surface to remove or smooth it, so to clean or work on something abrasively is to rub it hard to wear away dirt or the top layer.