Skip to main content
combustibly

combustibly

8.4
In a way that shows strong, sudden feeling
  • adverb
  • /kəmˈbʌstəbli/
  • Literature
translation icon : de manera explosiva
  • She reacted combustibly to the unexpected news, raising her voice in surprise.

Examples

  • During the debate, he answered combustibly, unable to hide his frustration.

  • She reacted combustibly to the unexpected news, her face flushed with surprise.

  • The team responded combustibly to criticism, defending their project with strong emotion.

  • He spoke combustibly during the heated debate.

  • She reacted combustibly to the unexpected news.

  • In the meeting, he spoke combustibly, his emotions clearly affecting his words.

  • The audience responded combustibly to the announcement, erupting in applause and cheers.

Synonyms

wildly
vscombustibly
104 2.9

In a way that is not controlled and shows strong feeling

is focused on sudden provocation leading to quick eruptions rather than general chaos
passionately
vscombustibly
66 2.8

In a way that shows very strong feelings and great excitement

is more about sudden easily triggered bursts than steady heartfelt feeling
furiously
vscombustibly
38 3.0

In a very angry and energetic way

is more about sudden provocation and being ready to burst emotionally
hotly
vscombustibly
27 4.1

In a strong, angry, or excited way

leans more to sudden flareups and being quickly provoked rather than steady heat
feverishly
vscombustibly
13 5.1

In a way that shows very fast, nervous energy because of strong excitement or worry

is about being easily provoked into sudden emotional bursts rather than restless activity
maniacally
vscombustibly
8 7.9

In a very wild and excited way without control

is about readiness to explode emotionally from small provocation not madness
explosively
vscombustibly
5 4.4

To do something very suddenly and with great force

is about being easily provoked and ready to burst rather than only violent outbursts
heatedly
vscombustibly
3 5.1

In a way that shows strong feelings, often anger

is about being ready to burst from provocation rather than steady argument
effusively
vscombustibly
1 7.4

In a very warm and emotional way that shows strong feeling

is more about quick provocation and ready anger rather than open warmth
smolderingly
vscombustibly
  • Literature
9.1

In a quiet, strong way that shows hidden anger or deep feeling

is sudden and likely to erupt immediately when triggered
ballistically
vscombustibly
  • Informal
7.9

Reacting in a sudden, angry way

implies readiness to flare up from small provocation rather than long anger
ragingly
vscombustibly
7.0

In a very strong, angry, or violent way

is more about being easily provoked and ready to burst instantly
tempestuously
vscombustibly
8.1

In a strong, emotional, and wild way

is focused on being easily set off and ready for sudden outbursts
fierily
vscombustibly
7.4

In a way that shows strong feeling and energy

is more about sudden provocation leading to quick outbursts rather than steady heat
burningly
vscombustibly
7.5

In a way that shows very strong feeling, like passion or desire

is about being easily provoked and erupting quickly rather than slow burning
fervidly
vscombustibly
8.2

With strong, excited feeling for something

is more about quick provocation and explosive reaction than sustained ardor
ravingly
vscombustibly
  • Informal
9.7

In a very excited and wild way

is more about quick easily triggered bursts than extreme irrational frenzy

How Volatile

explosively
5 4.4
combustibly
  • Literature
8.4
irritably
8 4.1
uneasily
19 4.2
calmly
110 1.0

Surface Forms

combustibly positive

Morphology

combustibly = combustible (semi-transparent) = combust + ible + ly

The adverbial formation is regular, but the sense 'emotionally easily provoked' is a metaphorical extension of 'easily ignited', so the meaning is not strictly literal.

Etymology

Combustibly comes from the same root as combustion and the word 'burn', so you can imagine feelings ready to 'burst into flame'. That's why it can mean 'showing sudden strong emotion'.