putridly

Putridly is an emphatic adverb meaning “in a putrid manner”: with extreme rottenness, foulness, or decay, and often with figurative moral corruption. When used literally, it describes something so decayed or foul that it evokes spoilage or a powerful stench. Figuratively, it intensifies judgments of corruption, cruelty, or offensiveness, as in criticism of a regime’s actions. The word is more forceful and literary than everyday alternatives such as “foully,” and it may sound unusually severe outside criticism of something genuinely rotten or morally disgraceful. Because putridly derives directly from the adjective putrid, it preserves that adjective’s association with decay and corruption rather than suggesting mere unpleasantness. It is therefore a useful word for writers seeking both vivid sensory force and emphatic ethical disapproval.

In an extremely putrid, foul, or rotten manner. It can also characterize something as being extremely corrupt or morally offensive.

Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.

Where does putridly come from?

The adverb putridly was formed in English by adding the productive suffix -ly to putrid. Putrid comes from Latin putridus, meaning “rotten” or “decayed,” which is related to putrefacere, “to make rotten,” and ultimately to the Latin words puter and putris, meaning “rotten.” English cognates in this family include putrefy, putrefaction, and putrescent.

How putridly is actually used

The adverb is relatively uncommon and strongly evaluative. It is used both literally, often with verbs of smell or decay, and figuratively for extreme moral corruption or offensiveness.

What's another word for putridly?

Rhymes with putridly