ludicrously

Ludicrously is an adverb that describes an action or property performed in a manner that is so ridiculous or incongruous as to provoke laughter or disbelief. It emphasizes the degree of absurdity beyond ordinary ridiculousness and is commonly used to express strong judgment about something perceived as laughably unsuitable, extreme, or impractical.

The adverb is derived from the adjective ludicrous, which comes from Latin ludicrus meaning "playful" or "sportive," from ludus, "play." English adopted ludicrous in the early modern period, and the -ly suffix was added to form ludicrously in standard word formation.

It is typically used in informal or semi-formal contexts to convey sharp criticism or humorous exaggeration. In formal writing, alternatives such as "absurd," "ridiculous," or "excessively" may be preferred, depending on the desired nuance and level of formality.

Example sentences include: "The plan was ludicrously optimistic," "Prices were ludicrously high for a city with little demand," and "The scheme turned out to be ludicrously complicated for no practical reason."