schizophrenically
1
9.9
- adverb
- /ˌskɪtsəˈfrɛnɪkli/
- Slur
- Her opinions on the issue shifted schizophrenically, leaving her friends bewildered about her true stance.
Examples
-
The weather changed schizophrenically, going from sunny one minute to pouring rain the next.
-
In the United States, the government has schizophrenically ramped up and down support for renewable power, confusing investors and inhibiting the technology's development; it has also structured its subsidies in inefficient ways.
Academic text (2012) -
During the debate, the politician spoke schizophrenically, often contradicting himself from one statement to the next.
Synonyms
2
9.3
In a way that shows serious mental illness
1
5.6
In a wild, disordered way
1
8.9
In a wild way as if not thinking clearly
Antonyms
How Inconsistent
- Slur
1
9.9
12
6.4
3
4.1
1
5.3
113
2.1
Surface Forms
Morphology
schizophrenically = schizophrenic (opaque) = schizophrenic + ly
The word is formed by the regular adverb suffix '-ly', but the sense 'extremely inconsistent or contradictory' is a metaphorical extension that is not predictable from the adjective for an average B1 learner.
Etymology
Schizophrenically comes from the Greek parts schizo- 'split' and phren 'mind'. A helpful way to remember the first sense is to think of something acting 'split' or pulled in different directions, so behaving schizophrenically means changing quickly or being very inconsistent.