unbelievably

Etymology

unbelievable + -ly

adv

  1. (manner) In a manner that one does not or cannot believe.
    He gestured unbelievably. Everyone knew he was faking his illness.
    Almost unbelievably, some authors have formed the erroneous conception that ‘Hobson-Jobson’ is actually the double-barrelled surname of the dictionary’s editor. 2018, James Lambert, “Setting the Record Straight: An In-depth Examination of Hobson-Jobson”, in International Journal of Lexicography, volume 31, number 4, →DOI, page 488
  2. (degree) To an extent not to be believed.
    His face turned unbelievably blue. We realized he was actually choking.
  3. (evaluative) Contrary to expectations, amazingly.
    Unbelievably, Rudy saved the man's life but got sued for breaking two of his ribs.

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