Alarmedly

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. In a way that reflects sudden fear or worry about a situation
2. Behaving with a sense of surprise or dread towards an unforeseen event
3. In a manner showing immediate concern or fright about something unexpected

Etymology: "Alarmedly" is a straightforward formation: the adjective "alarmed," meaning frightened or disturbed, with the adverb-forming suffix "-ly" added to the end. The result describes doing something in an alarmed manner, that is, with sudden fear. The adjective "alarmed" is itself a past-participle form of "alarm," which entered English from Old French "alarme," a call to arms. That French word came from Italian "all'arme," meaning "to arms," the shout that warned soldiers to take up their weapons. So the fear in "alarmed" traces back to a military summons rather than to any quieter feeling.

Synonyms: anxiously, fearfully, worriedly, nervously, apprehensively

Antonyms: calmly, peacefully, tranquilly, serenely, confidently