unhealthily

IPA/ʌnˈhelθɪli/
IPA/ʌnˈhelθɪli/

unhealthily — adverb

1. Showing or causing poor physical condition, either through actions that damage t

1.adverbB2
Definition

Showing or causing poor physical condition, either through actions that damage the body or through an appearance that reveals illness.

Example

Daichi ate unhealthily for years, surviving mostly on instant noodles and sugary drinks.

collocation: eat unhealthily

Zuri's cheeks had an unhealthily flushed look after hiking in the hot sun.

unhealthily + adjective describing appearance

Common collocations
  • eat unhealthily
  • live unhealthily
  • look unhealthily + adjective
  • breathe unhealthily
Synonyms
  • poorly

    more general — can describe overall condition, not just health-related actions

  • badly

    very common but vaguer; 'eat badly' focuses on food quality rather than health impact

Antonyms
  • healthily

    direct opposite — in a way that promotes good physical health

Grammar Patterns

unhealthily + verb

unhealthily + adjective

verb + unhealthily

Usage Note

Commonly pairs with adjectives describing physical appearance (pale, thin, flushed) or verbs related to eating, sleeping, and breathing.

Common Mistakes

He ate unhealthy' (using adjective instead of adverb).
He ate unhealthily.
'unhealthily' is the adverb form needed to modify verbs.

2. At a level that is emotionally or psychologically damaging, especially when the

2.adverbC1
Definition

At a level that is emotionally or psychologically damaging, especially when the behaviour or state goes beyond what is socially normal.

Example

João became unhealthily obsessed with his phone, checking it every few minutes.

pattern: become unhealthily obsessed with [something]

The team's culture was unhealthily competitive, with colleagues refusing to help each other.

unhealthily + adjective describing atmosphere or behaviour

Common collocations
  • unhealthily obsessed
  • unhealthily dependent
  • unhealthily competitive
  • unhealthily attached
Synonyms
  • morbidly

    stronger, more negative connotation; suggests a disturbing or gloomy quality

  • excessively

    less specific — describes any kind of excess, not necessarily harmful

Antonyms
  • healthily

    in a way that promotes mental and emotional wellbeing

Grammar Patterns

unhealthily + adjective

become/grow + unhealthily + adjective + preposition

Usage Note

Often precedes adjectives describing excessive or abnormal emotional states: obsessed, dependent, attached, competitive. Distinguish from sense 1, which is limited to physical health conditions.

Common Mistakes

He was unhealthy obsessed with video games.
He was unhealthily obsessed with video games.
an adverb is required to modify the adjective 'obsessed'.