Eristically

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. Tending to approach discussions with a confrontational mindset while reflecting a style of dialogue that thrives on disputes rather than agreements
2. In a manner characterized by a focus on winning arguments over reaching understanding
3. Expressed in a way that favors contentious debate instead of cooperative discussion

Etymology: "Eristically" is an adverb built from "eristic" and the suffix "-ally," which turns an adjective into an adverb describing the manner of an action. The adjective it comes from traces back to the Greek "eristikos," meaning "fond of disputes," itself drawn from "eris," the Greek word for strife or discord. In ancient Greek, the goddess Eris personified strife, and the adjective described people who relished argument for its own sake. The adjective entered English as a term for the art of argument, particularly the kind of debate that aims at winning rather than at reaching the truth. Adding "-ally" produces the adverb, so to argue eristically is to argue in that combative, victory-focused manner. The word thus keeps a sense of dispute at its core, the same strife that the goddess Eris embodied in Greek myth.