Counteractively

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. In a way that acts in opposition to a previous action or effect
2. By employing strategies that counter a previously established situation or influence
3. Performing an action so as to neutralize or reverse an earlier impact

Etymology: "Counteractively" is simply "counteractive" with the adverbial ending "-ly" attached. The adjective is built from "counter-", meaning against or in opposition, and "act", with the suffix "-ive" marking something that tends to do a thing. So the whole word means something like "in a way that acts against." The ending does most of the grammatical work here. "-ly" traces back through Middle English "-ly" and Old English "-līce" to a Proto-Germanic form linked to the idea of body or form, that is, "like" in the sense of "in the manner of." Its descendant "-like" survives as a separate word, so "counteractively" is, in effect, "in a counteracting manner."

Synonyms: oppositely, contrarily