neuroticallyadv.
/njᵿˈrɒtᵻkli/, /njʊəˈrɒtᵻkli/, U.S. /n(j)ʊˈrɑdək(ə)li/ In a manner symptomatic or suggestive of a neurosis; as the result of a neurosis. Also in extended use.
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the world > health and disease > mental health > mental illness > degree or type of mental illness > [adverb] > neurosis
neurotically1890
1890 W. James Princ. Psychol. II. xxviii. 685 In many cases..the parental alcoholics are themselves degenerates neurotically.
1919 M. K. Bradby Psycho-anal. 78 Many..thrust their qualms into the unconscious and become neurotically deaf, blind or what not.
1924 R. Graves Mock Beggar Hall 21 A row of post-war villas, neurotically built, Standing each at different curious angles to the road.
1961 C. Willock Death in Covert iii. 69 He had a dark, keen, neurotically intelligent face.
1972 Daily Tel. 20 Apr. 10/6 Christopher Dowson, who slides into a house-party uninvited.., yearns neurotically after an unchanging situation.
1985 J. Berman Talking Cure iii. 83 According to Freud, behind every neurotically inhibited activity lies an instinctual wish.
1994 Guardian 27 Sept. ii. 4/1 Their US publicist pounces neurotically on Mojo's interviewer in an embarrassing display of uncoolness.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2003; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adv.1890