Problematically

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. In a fashion that introduces challenges or complications
2. In a way that causes difficulties or raises complex issues
3. Acting in a manner that presents obstacles or complicates matters

Etymology: "Problematically" is a plain formation: the adjective "problematic" with the adverbial ending "-ally" added. "Problematic" itself came into English from the Greek "problematikos", a derivative of "problema", meaning a thing thrown forward, a question put forward for discussion or a difficulty. The Greek noun was built from "proballein", "to throw forward", which gives the word its original sense of something set before the mind to be solved. The ending does most of the adverb work. It descends from Old English "-līce", which turned adjectives into adverbs, so "-ally" is the modern survivor of a very old pattern. It arrived in Middle English as "-ly" and was later extended by "-ally" in words built on adjectives ending in "-al" or "-ic", where the "-ic" plus "-al" combination makes the longer form.