feverishly
gb/fˈɛvɚˌɪʃli/ us/fˈɛvɚˌɪʃli/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
adverb
B2
process
1
with intense urgent effort
very fast and with a lot of effort because it feels urgent
Usage pattern:
[do something] feverishly
Common mistake:
Don’t use it for ordinary speed; it usually suggests urgency or intense pressure.
Synonyms
frantically (Stronger sense of panic or chaos.)
|
desperately (Emphasizes need or lack of hope more than speed.)
|
intensely (Focuses on strength of effort, not necessarily urgency.)
|
hurriedly (More neutral; less emotional intensity.)
Antonyms
calmly (Without urgency or agitation.)
|
leisurely (Unhurried and relaxed.)
Collocations
work feverishly
|prepare feverishly
|search feverishly
|write feverishly
|type feverishly
|study feverishly
|campaign feverishly
|negotiate feverishly
|plan feverishly
|rush feverishly
Themes
work
|time_pressure
|emotions
Examples
- Editors worked feverishly to meet the midnight deadline.
- The team searched feverishly for the missing file before the presentation.
- She packed feverishly, realizing her taxi would arrive any minute.
Learner examples
- We worked feverishly to finish on time.
- He studied feverishly before the exam.
adverb
C1
state
2
with excited nervous energy
in a very excited or nervous way
Usage pattern:
[someone] [wait/look/talk/think] feverishly
Common mistake:
Often used for anxious excitement; it can sound odd with calm emotions (e.g., “feverishly relaxed”).
Synonyms
anxiously (Focuses on worry more than energy.)
|
excitedly (More positive; less sense of strain.)
|
restlessly (Emphasizes inability to stay still.)
Antonyms
placidly (Calm and not easily upset.)
|
composedly (Controlled and self-possessed.)
Collocations
wait feverishly
|watch feverishly
|look around feverishly
|talk feverishly
|speculate feverishly
|anticipate feverishly
|follow (news) feverishly
Themes
emotions
|behavior
Examples
- Investors watched feverishly as the stock price swung up and down.
- He checked his phone feverishly, waiting for a reply.
- Rumors spread, and people speculated feverishly about what had happened.
Learner examples
- She waited feverishly for the results.
adverb
C1
state
3
in a fevered physical state
as if you have a fever
Usage pattern:
[someone] [sleep/mutter/shiver] feverishly
Common mistake:
This sense is about illness; for effort under pressure, use the main sense (meaning 1).
Synonyms
deliriously (Stronger; suggests confusion from illness or shock.)
Antonyms
healthily (Without signs of illness.)
|
clearly (Opposes the idea of fevered confusion.)
Collocations
sleep feverishly
|mutter feverishly
|burn feverishly
|lie feverishly
|dream feverishly
Themes
health
|body
Examples
- He slept feverishly and woke every hour for water.
- She muttered feverishly, barely aware of who was in the room.
- The child lay feverishly under the blanket, cheeks flushed.
Learner examples
- He slept feverishly all night.
Grammar
Dictionary form
feverishly
IPA
GB/fˈɛvɚˌɪʃli/
US/fˈɛvɚˌɪʃli/
Syllables & stress
fe - ver - ishly (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (fe)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: feverishly
- Plural: feverishlies
Word family
Expressions
prepare feverishly
1/pɹipˈɛɹ fˈɛvɚˌɪʃli/
fixed phrase
get ready in a rush
to get ready very quickly and with lots of effort
Examples
- She prepared feverishly for the interview the next morning.
- The city prepared feverishly for the storm.
- We prepared feverishly, but still forgot a few things.
search feverishly
1/sˈɚt͡ʃ fˈɛvɚˌɪʃli/
fixed phrase
look for something urgently
to look for something very quickly and urgently
Examples
- He searched feverishly for his passport at the airport.
- Rescuers searched feverishly for survivors after the earthquake.
- She searched feverishly through her bag for her keys.
type feverishly
1/tˈaɪp fˈɛvɚˌɪʃli/
fixed phrase
type extremely fast
to type very fast because it is urgent
Examples
- He typed feverishly, trying to send the message before the train entered the tunnel.
- The reporter typed feverishly as details came in.
- She typed feverishly on her laptop during the meeting.
work feverishly
1/wˈɚk fˈɛvɚˌɪʃli/
fixed phrase
work with urgent intensity
to work very hard and fast
Examples
- They worked feverishly to restore power before nightfall.
- I worked feverishly all morning to catch up on emails.
- Engineers worked feverishly to fix the leak.
write feverishly
1/ɹˈaɪt fˈɛvɚˌɪʃli/
fixed phrase
write fast with intensity
to write very fast and with a lot of energy
Examples
- She wrote feverishly, trying to capture every idea before it faded.
- I wrote feverishly the night before the deadline.
- He wrote feverishly in his notebook as the lecturer spoke.