negatively
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
In a negative manner; so as to be damaging or not positive.
Adverb
Examples
How justly then might human law and Philosophy rise up against the righteousnesse of Moses, if this be true which our vulgar Divinity Fathers upon him, yeah upon God himselfe; not silently and only negatively to permit, but in his law to divulge a written and generall priviledge to commit and persis
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
In the negative; with the answer “no.”
Adverb
Examples
1683, Richard Browne (translator), The Cure of Old Age and Preservation of Youth by Roger Bacon, London: Tho. Flesher, Doubt VII, p. 83,
I answer negatively:
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “negatively” mean?
In a negative manner; so as to be damaging or not positive.
Is “negatively” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.