feverishly

[ fee-ver-ish-lee ]

adverb

1. in a way that is overexcited, restless, or uncontrolled, as if from fever:

   I haven’t called you in the past few weeks because I've been working feverishly in the lab on a compelling new project.

2. to a degree that suggests fever:

   Tonight, his brilliant blue eyes were feverishly bright.

   It was a feverishly hot day in August.

3. in a manner caused by fever:

   He had forgotten how, just a few weeks ago, breathing was a chore and he was lying there helpless and feverishly delirious.

Other Words From

• non·fe·ver·ish·ly adverb
• pseu·do·fe·ver·ish·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of feverishly¹

feverish ( def ) + -ly

Example Sentences

I remember eating so quickly and feverishly, overwhelmed by the heat and numbness, that I had to step outside and nearly passed out.

From Salon

Mr Ortbeg, who took over as chief executive in August, said he was working "feverishly" to stabilise the firm, as it works to repair its reputation which has been hit by manufacturing and safety concerns.

From BBC

"We plan on zealously and feverishly defending him on these matters," Mr Barone said, adding that his client maintains his innocence on all the charges brought against him.

From BBC

But its potency also shows itself in the legend that the likes of Watters and other right-wing performers are feverishly gilding.

From Salon

Volunteers with the party worked feverishly to hold onto their majority, shuttling voters to polling stations, extolling the party’s virtues from loudspeakers on pickup trucks and handing out the party’s bright yellow T-shirts.

From New York Times

Related Words

• breathlessly
• eagerly
• frantically
• furiously
• heatedly
• madly
• passionately
• tensely
• wildly