anticreatively
|an-ti-cre-a-tive-ly|
/ˌæn.ti.kriˈeɪ.tɪv/
(anticreative)
against creativity
Etymology
'anticreatively' originates from English, formed by the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'antí') meaning 'against' and the adjective 'creative' (from Latin 'creare') plus the adverbial suffix '-ly'.
'anticreative' is a modern English compound formed by attaching the prefix 'anti-' to 'creative'; 'creative' derives from Latin 'creare' (to create), which entered English via Old French and Middle English; the adverb 'anticreatively' is derived by adding '-ly' to the adjective.
Initially components implied 'against creation' (literal), but in modern usage the compound and its adverbial form mean 'not creative' or 'in a way that suppresses creativity' rather than literally opposing creation.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
(adjective form) Not creative; tending to reduce or reject creativity. (This entry is the base adjective form of the adverb 'anticreatively'.)
Their anticreative policies made innovation rare in the organization.
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Adverb 1
in a manner that lacks creativity; unimaginatively or in a routine, formulaic way.
The committee approached the redesign anticreatively, sticking to familiar templates instead of exploring new ideas.
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Adverb 2
in a way that opposes or discourages creative methods or thinking.
Management acted anticreatively by penalizing staff for experimenting with new approaches.
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Last updated: 2025/08/30 08:53