(ことさら)

ことさら
adverb
deliberately; on purpose; particularly; conspicuously
1. deliberately; on purpose; unnecessarily
Doing something intentionally, often with the nuance that the action is excessive or unnecessary — going out of one's way to do it.
殊更(ことさら)(むずか)しい言葉(ことば)使(つか)う。
He deliberately uses difficult words.
殊更(ことさら)(おお)げさに()必要(ひつよう)はない。
There is no need to deliberately exaggerate.
彼女(かのじょ)殊更(ことさら)(あか)るく()()っていたが、内心(ないしん)(きず)ついていた。
She was deliberately acting cheerful, but was hurting on the inside.
2. particularly; especially; conspicuously
Emphasizing that something stands out to a notable degree, more than one might expect.
その作品(さくひん)殊更(ことさら)()()くデザインだった。
That piece had a particularly eye-catching design.
今日(きょう)殊更(ことさら)(さむ)(かん)じる。
Today feels especially cold.
殊更(ことさら)問題(もんだい)にするようなことではないが、一応(いちおう)確認(かくにん)しておきたい。
It is not particularly something to make an issue of, but I would like to confirm it nonetheless.

SENSE DISTINCTION:

  • Sense 1 (deliberate): emphasizes that an action is intentional, often unnecessarily or excessively so — similar to わざと but more literary.
  • Sense 2 (particularly): emphasizes that something stands out conspicuously — close to 特に or 格別.

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • わざと: deliberately — more colloquial; neutral or negative connotation
  • わざわざ: going out of one's way — emphasizes extra effort made
  • あえて: deliberately; daringly — implies boldness or going against the grain
  • 特に: particularly — neutral; the everyday alternative for sense 2