mightily
UK: ˈmaɪtɪli | US: ˈmaɪtəli
adv. with great strength or power
adv. to a great extent; extremely
The word "mightily" derives from the Old English "mihtig" (mighty), meaning "full of might or strength," combined with the adverbial suffix "-ly," which turns adjectives into adverbs. "Mighty" itself traces back to Proto-Germanic "*mahtīgaz," from "*mahtiz" (might, power). Over time, "mightily" evolved to emphasize both physical power and metaphorical intensity (e.g., "tried mightily to succeed"). The suffix "-ly" is a productive Old English morpheme still used to form adverbs today.
He struggled mightily to lift the heavy crate.
The team worked mightily to meet the deadline.
She laughed mightily at the joke.
The wind blew mightily during the storm.
They argued mightily but eventually reached a compromise.