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Glite Dictionary
leastwise

leastwise

9.4
Says the smallest thing we can be sure of
  • adverb
  • /ˈliːstˌwaɪz/
  • Archaic
translation icon : al menos
  • We should leave now, leastwise if we want to get there before dark.

Examples

  • You should, leastwise, try to finish your homework.

  • She didn't win the race, but leastwise she finished it.

  • I can't come tomorrow, or leastwise, I don't think I can.

  • At leastwise, we have a plan to follow.

  • We lost the game, but leastwise, we played our best.

  • I didn’t get the promotion, but leastwise I still have my job.

  • The weather was bad, but leastwise it didn’t rain during the picnic.

Synonyms

at least
vsleastwise
∞ 1.3

To point out a small positive in a bad situation

states a simple minimum concession or anyway rather than consolation
at the very least
vsleastwise
141 3.4

To say the thing just said is the least you should do

expresses a basic minimum or anyway without strong emphasis
at any rate
vsleastwise
27 3.7

To say something is true despite what was said before

marks a minimal concession or basic anyway rather than a topic shift
at the least
vsleastwise
16 2.4

Not less than the minimum that is expected or needed

is a broader phrase for a small concession or general anyway usage
leastways
vsleastwise
  • Archaic
9.9

Use this informal word to show a small positive point

is the neutral form used without dialectal marking

Antonyms

most
1.0

The largest number of people or things in a group

Surface Forms

leastwise positive

Morphology

leastwise = least (transparent) = least + wise

The meaning 'at least' follows directly from 'least' + the adverbial suffix '-wise' meaning 'in the manner/degree of'.

Etymology

Leastwise is made from least and the ending -wise. Least means 'at least' and -wise means 'in the way of', like in clockwise, so leastwise is a way to say 'at least' or 'anyway'.