WordGarden.ioillogically
B1Pronunciation
UK
US
- /ɪlˈɑːdʒɪkli/
Meanings
Adverb
in a way that does not follow reason or logic
Beyond the definition
Sometimes people act in ways that just don't make sense. When they do, we say they're acting illogically. It means their actions aren't based on reason or clear thinking—maybe they're letting emotions get the best of them, or jumping to conclusions without evidence.
Think about a character in a story who stubbornly refuses to believe something even when presented with proof. By ignoring the facts, they are behaving illogically. Or imagine someone getting angry at a vending machine instead of simply trying another one—that's acting illogically. It doesn't mean they can't think logically, just that in this instance, they aren't doing so.
The word "illogically" describes behavior or thinking that isn't based on sound reasoning or logic. It implies a departure from what is sensible, rational, or expected given the circumstances. The prefix "il-" means "not," so "illogically" literally means "in a manner that is not logical."
You might say someone reacted illogically to bad news by immediately blaming others instead of trying to understand the situation. Or perhaps a detective found a suspect was explaining their alibi illogically, meaning the story didn't hold up under scrutiny and contained inconsistencies. It's important to note that acting illogically isn't necessarily about being unintelligent; it often stems from strong emotions, biases, or flawed assumptions.
The context of usage is key. While a scientist might argue that a colleague is proceeding illogically due to a lack of evidence, a reader might describe a character's impulsive decision in a novel as illogical because it doesn't fit their established personality. It can also be used to highlight the absurdity of a situation: "He illogically insisted on wearing shorts in the blizzard."
So, when you encounter something that defies reason or seems completely out of step with what's expected, remember "illogically"—it describes actions and thoughts that stray from the path of clear thinking.
Examples
- 1
Argument
She argued illogically and kept changing her reasons.
- 2
School anxiety
He illogically assumed that one bad grade meant he would fail the whole course.
- 3
Business decision
The company acted illogically by cutting staff while demanding faster results.
- 4
Fear response
When people are scared, they sometimes behave illogically.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
- fallaciously
- absurdly
- arbitrarily
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- think illogically
- argue illogically
- act illogically
- reason illogically
Word family
Explore
- logical fallacy
- reasoning
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- illogicallyadverb